Catalyst (Dogs of War Book 4)

by J. M. Madden

  “Hey,” he said, and her bright eyes light up with joy at seeing him, though it had been only a little while.

  “Hey. We didn’t make plans,” she told him, grinning, “so I didn’t know if you were coming here or if I was supposed to go there…”

  Noah avoided the obvious, dirty answer and gave her a smile. “Well, it occurred to me that I didn’t follow through on my promise.”

  Raine cocked her head and he took her hand in his own, dropping the drugstore bag to the floor. Then he positioned her second hand on his shoulder and pulled her close. She laughed against him as he moved them into a slow, sultry dance. “I know that dancing without music is a little odd, but I thought we could make it work,” he whispered.

  In answer, she began peppering kisses up the side of his neck and cheek. Drawing back enough to look him in the eye, she nodded in agreement, then rested her head against his chest. Right there in the hallway, they learned how the other moved and felt, and Noah fell more in love. Raine was the kind of woman his Noni would have wanted for him and he desperately wished the two women might have had a chance to meet.

  His dick hardened to the point of pain and it took him a minute to realize that she seemed to be brushing against him more deliberately, just the tiniest bit. Grinning down at her, he cupped her ass in his hands, pulling her even closer. “Two can play that game,” he said, taking her mouth. She kissed him like she’d been starved of touch for too long, and her enthusiasm fed his own. When he slipped his tongue into her mouth, Raine groaned. He could feel the vibration against his own chest, and he knew they wouldn’t be able to dance much longer. He had another dance in mind. Pulling away, he took her hand, snatched the bag up from the floor and headed back to his apartment.

  Raine didn’t say anything as he led her down the hallway to his apartment and punched in the code. She wasn’t sure she could articulate anything even if she did try, her mind was buzzing so. Noah was better than any liquor she’d ever tasted, any rich candy or decadent dessert, anything she’d ever put in her mouth. His taste felt right to her, like they had been paired by someone who could look into the future and see their compatibility. She knew instinctively that making love with him would only strengthen that conviction.

  The dancing had been an excellent introduction to how his body moved and brushing against his erection had literally made her mouth water. She wanted to taste him there as well, and her body wept for his attention.

  As Noah led her into his apartment, she looked around. She’d only ever been at the door, but now she could see the rest of the space. It was a man’s domain who had little interest in decorating. It was clean, but spare. He’d splurged on a giant TV and game system.

  “That thing has to be wider than I am tall,” she told him, walking up to it and spreading her arms to compare.

  “My buddies and I get online sometimes and shoot bad guys,” he said. “Keeps us out of trouble and connected.”

  She looked at him, intrigued. “Marine buddies or gym buddies?”

  Grinning, he shrugged. “Both.”

  Raine glanced around. “And this place is completely soundproofed, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Probably smart we came here, then,” she said.

  Noah grinned, moving toward her with intent in his golden eyes. Raine’s breath caught in her chest and for just a moment she felt like the stalked prey. But she wanted Noah to catch her.

  Kicking off her heels beneath his small kitchen table she dug in the Walgreens bag for the box. “Extra-large combo pack,” she read, her face heating. Noah grinned, taking the box from her and ripping it open. He pulled a strip of condoms out, ripped one off and shoved it in his pocket. Then he leaned down, put his hands on her ass and lifted her to sit on the table. Raine gasped as he wedged his hips between her thighs, her heart rocketing into gear, and his mouth found hers again. This time there was no gentle teasing, it was far more carnal than that. He kissed her like he wanted to fuck her, and she was okay with that.

  Noah stripped her shirt and bra off within seconds, cupping her breasts in his hands. Then he leaned down and took one breast in his hot mouth, drawing on it hard. Raine gasped, clutching his head to her. He tongued her nipple and scraped his teeth along the tip, sending goosebumps down her body. He shifted to her other nipple and did the same thing, then drew back. “I want to taste you more. And I want to see you. I didn’t get to see you last time.”

  Reaching behind her he swiped everything onto the floor, clearing the table, and he laid her back. It was cold beneath her skin, but she barely noticed as he stripped her leggings down and off her feet, then the pretty panties she’d spent too long deciding upon. His strong hands very gently parted her knees, lifting her feet up to rest on the edge of the table. Raine felt the blush roll from the tip of her head all the way down to her toes. She didn’t like being this exposed and open to him.

  But when he ran a finger down her soaked cleft, playing in the slickness, she forgot about her embarrassment.

  “You are so incredibly beautiful,” he murmured. “So incredibly pink and delicate. What a pretty little pussy you have, Raine.”

  Then something softer than his finger touched her, and Raine moaned. Noah’s tongue slicked through her folds, finding and teasing her clit, then dancing away. Several times he did that, coming up to caress her pleasure point, then sliding lower, both exploring her and building her pleasure. Raine shook, her hips twitching, following the pleasure. Lifting her head, she looked down the length of her body, fascinated. Noah looked like he was enjoying the most decadent ice cream.

  Then he sealed his mouth over her body and suckled. Raine had never felt anything like it and the heat of orgasm fluttered in her belly. He narrowed his focus to her clit, sucking it just as he had her nipples minutes, seconds ago. Then, still sucking on her, he slid one of his thick fingers just inside her body.

  Raine cried out, needing more, but she knew he wouldn’t hear her. Arching her hips, she tried to encourage him deeper, even grabbing the edges of the table to try to push down, but it didn’t matter. Noah kept her on that edge for what seemed like eons, pushing her forward and back, dragging her responses out, both physical and emotional. Then, he shoved her over the cliff, sucking hard on her clit and finding a magic spot inside her to ride. Raine gave a little screaming gasp at the suddenness of it, her body jerking and releasing. It was one of the most incredible orgasms she’d ever had. When she finally opened her eyes, it was to see Noah with the most incredibly smug expression on his face. She laughed and tried to close her knees, but he shook his head.

  Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the condom. He handed it to her and began unbuckling his belt, then his pants, pushing them wide. Raine ripped the foil open but got distracted as he shifted the underwear elastic beneath his erection. Holy…

  Noah took the condom from her and tossed the wrapper away, then rolled the rubber over the head and down the length of his penis. Raine’s neck hurt from strain, but she couldn’t look away. It was a beautiful piece of machinery. And she had a feeling, just going by the renewed twitching of her pussy, that it would very likely shatter her to pieces again.

  Noah looked down at Raine spread before him and knew that he was walking a very fine line. Very carefully, he rolled the condom on, making sure it was as far down as it could go.

  The worst part about losing his hearing, so far, was not hearing the sounds she made as she orgasmed. Yes, he could see her orgasm and feel her release, even smell the earthy scent of her body, but he desperately wanted to hear her lose control. He could only imagine the low, throaty groans.

  Noah grinned down at Raine and used one hand to rub the head of his cock over her clit. It was darker pink, now, the blood flow to the area heightening her responses. The shape of her, the feel of her, rocked him. Pressing forward, he felt her body give, then tighten. “Relax, baby,” he murmured.

  Raine took his words and he felt the tightness relax. Noah pushed deeper, shudderi
ng at the feel of her wet heat. Closing his eyes, he tried to maintain control, but she was the tightest, wettest sheath he’d ever felt, and he knew the clock was ticking down. It had started ticking down early this morning when they’d first woken up. That had been a great orgasm, considering no skin, but something told him that this one was going to wreck him.

  Raine’s long legs wrapped around him, pulling him deeper into her. This time, Noah didn’t mind. The orgasm was building and he needed to move. Pulling all the way back to her entrance he paused there for a split second, before pushing deep. Raine’s head rocked on the table, her teeth bared, and he could feel the fluttery muscles in her cunt taking off. His hips swiveling, Noah withdrew, then shoved deep, setting up a hard rhythm. He cupped the top of her thighs in his hands, pulling her to meet his thrusts. Cupping her breasts in her hands she tweaked her nipples and Noah watched painful pleasure consume her. Her pussy spasmed and Noah let himself go, shoving that final length inside and as deep as possible. The pleasure rolled up from his toes and slammed into his groin, the orgasm forcing him to hold her tight as she cried out. Soundlessly.

  Noah knew he was too heavy for her, but there was no blood flow to his legs right this second. The little four-person dinette table they were riding was also a concern. It had been a little wobbly before the sexy shenanigans and if he wasn’t careful he would topple them both over.

  Once he’d dragged in a few breaths, he planted his feet and very carefully withdrew from her body, holding the condom in place. Even the retraction sent a shudder through him.

  Noah wrapped the condom in a tissue and tossed it in the trash. Raine was still on the table, her brilliant eyes at half-mast as she watched him. Holding a hand out to her he helped her off the table, then swung her up into his arms to carry her into the bedroom. She giggled as he tumbled into the bed with her, then winced and groaned, painfully reminded of his broken ribs.

  Raine pushed him back on the bed, her hair swinging over him. Noah caught a fistful of it and pulled her down for a kiss, until she pushed away. “You,” she enunciated clearly, “have not given me a chance to explore.”

  Oh, fuck…

  Those few hours in Noah’s apartment were amazing. Raine felt slightly guilty about not checking in with Paul or her floor, but as she looked at Noah stretched out beside her, she was able to tamp the guilt down. They might not have another chance like this. What was the saying? There was only one first kiss. And only one first loving. Well, only one first loving in each position, maybe, she thought with a tired internal laugh. Noah had loved her every way imaginable, and several ways she’d never done before. Raine had recreated the sheet encounter, sans sheet, and it had finally wiped both of them out. As she ran her hand over his belly, she wished she could be recharged and ready to go again, but she was tender.

  Raine told him she loved him a million times that afternoon and night, though she didn’t think he saw her articulate the words.

  The next morning, they woke early to get ready for work. Raine was glad she’d given herself extra time because Noah was incorrigible, propping her on her knees after her shower and loving her from behind. She pretended to be angry. He made sure to make her happy before they both went to the shower to wash again.

  The entire day seemed surreal. The men were happy to see her when she returned to 4C, but she realized there wasn’t a lot she could tell them about what had gone on. So much of what they’d done was top secret that she knew she needed to talk to Wulfe and Elizabeth before she knew what she could say to anyone. Haven was back in his room, but everyone would be able to tell soon that he was changed, which would lead to more questions.

  Raine had to talk to Paul, though. During a lull, she pulled him into one of the empty rooms and spilled her guts. Paul needed to be updated on Haven because he was bound to notice the changes. Once she’d gotten him updated, she ended with ‘Oh, and I’m sleeping with Noah’.

  Paul stared at her for a solid half-minute, then grinned. “I knew you would make a great couple! You are seriously going to give me a heart attack.”

  Laughing, Raine shrugged. “Sorry.”

  “What’s your family going to say?”

  Raine had been thinking about that. At some point she would love to take Noah home and show him her state, and she thought Daddy would be impressed with him. It would be a bit of a shock seeing them together, though, that was for sure. “You know, Mama used to talk about not being able to choose who you love. I think once they see us together it won’t matter what color we are.”

  “I think you’re right,” Paul told her, smiling.

  As soon as she completed her shift, Raine headed upstairs. It had been twelve hours since she’d seen Noah and just the thought of what they would do loosened her body. When she stepped off the elevator he was there at her door, waiting. Grinning, Raine danced down the hallway to him. If there wasn’t a chance that others would see them, she’d start stripping for him.

  “Your place or mine?” she mouthed.

  “Mine, definitely. I have a feeling you’re a screamer and I just haven’t been able to hear you yet. Better do it in the one that’s soundproofed.”

  “You may be right,” she grinned, laughing as he picked her up and swirled with her down the hallway.

  They loved and laughed and learned everything they could about pleasuring each other. Then they raided the hospitality room at three a.m. for cookies and milk. When they returned to bed and she sprawled over him like she’d gotten used to doing, she told him she loved him like she did every other time, knowing that he wouldn’t hear her.

  Noah went still, though, and turned his head to look down at her. “What did you just say?”

  Raine sat up, blinking. “Did you hear me?”

  He made a face and sat up beside her. “I heard something. More like the teacher on Snoopy that makes the weird noise when she speaks.”

  Leaning forward, Raine wrapped her arms around Noah’s neck. Very carefully, very clearly she said into his ear, “No more cookies.”

  He jerked back, eyes narrowing dangerously. “That’s not what you said the first time. And why can’t I have more cookies?”

  Tears filled Raine’s eyes at the proof that he’d heard what she said. She kissed him, so happy that his hearing seemed to be coming back. Noah pulled away, though. “Tell me what you said, damn it.”

  “I love you,” she laughed, the tears slipping down her cheeks.

  “I thought so,” he murmured. “I noticed a few things earlier in my right ear, but they were sharp sounds. My spoon on the glass and the scrape of the chair on the floor. I kind of thought I’d imagined them. I didn’t hear anything again until just now. When you told me you loved me.”

  He captured her mouth with his own, taunting and teasing. Then he frowned, dark and dangerous. “I guess it’s only fair to tell you you’ve completely stolen my heart.”

  She laughed at his expression. “Are you not happy about it?”

  “I don’t know,” he said eventually. “You need to take back that thing about the cookies.”

  Giggling, Raine shook her head. “Nope. Not until you learn to eat them right.”

  Noah danced his fingers up her sides, making her giggle again and fall to the mattress. “We’ll talk about it.” He slowed and leaned over her. “I love you, sweet Raine.”

  “I love you, too, Noah.”

  Epilogue

  One Week Later

  “They’re here,” Elizabeth said to her husband as she hung up the phone.

  General Holtman and his wife Moira were in the lobby, a few minutes early for their meeting.

  “Well, send them up,” Wulfe growled. “I’ll call Raine.”

  Within just a few minutes, they were escorting the Holtmans through the research lab where they were trying to break down the Marathon serum. “We’ve been able to identify several of the base ingredients, but there are some that we have no clue to. It was like Dr. Shu just randomly picked things to throw into the pot
and then forgot to write down the recipe. Spartan is even harder because the plant consistency itself varies wildly depending upon where it was harvested. There are indications that there are variations even in the plants themselves in a localized area. It really is like trying to nail jello to a tree. That’s why no two of the men are the same.”

  Elizabeth paused on the other end of the lab. “We told some of the men you were coming. Others…” she shrugged apologetically. “If at any time you need to leave we can head to the conference room for our meeting.”

  Pushing through the secured double doors, she led the Holtmans into the second floor ward. Most of these guys were on feeding tubes and supportive care. A few were in comas to give the medical teams time to try to diagnose their illnesses. One former Marine had a suspension frame built over his bed to help support his legs, which had been amputated, one above the knee and one below. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the legs were attempting to regrow, causing the man massive amounts of pain. Moira’s eyes widened as Elizabeth explained the case, and her pretty eyes filled with tears. “That’s horrifying,” she breathed.

  “It is,” Elizabeth agreed. “But Shu was a legitimate genius. If we can figure out a way to reverse engineer all these tiny little variations, there could be real, practical use in the civilian world.”

  Feeling like they’d seen enough of the heavy traumas, Elizabeth took them onto the elevator and punched the button for four. “We’ll go see Nurse Raine and her group. They’re a little further along in the rehabilitation process.”

  The doors opened and they walked down the hallway to the nurse’s station. Raine was there rattling a couple of pills into small paper cups. “Hello, General. Nice to have you here.”

  “Nurse Raine, this is my wife Moira.”