No savior a dark romance, p.17
No Savior: A Dark Romance, page 17
“That means you can’t be hacked or spied on?”
His chuckle was as dry as his sense of humor. “There are always hackers who can bypass any firewall, but we have experts constantly monitoring every system, which is connected through use of satellite and bouncing capabilities. Plus, we have our own hacker. If anyone tries to hack a single computer or secure phone line, alarms will go off, every scrap of information and contacts rerouted through another an even more secure server. Every mention on the dark web of any activity pointing fingers in our direction is a red flag we don’t ignore.”
“You’ve thought of everything.” I was highly impressed, more confident than before.
“Often, we’re dealing with some very skilled, highly trained individuals who’ve managed to calculate ways of kiting the system that no one has ever heard of before. There is no such thing as too much caution or security.”
A man’s face suddenly appeared on the screen and I gasped, even covering my face with my hands to keep from making an obscene outburst.
“Hey, Mav. Meet your biggest fan. This is Reese Murphy.” He pulled back, eyeing me with that same cute smirk on his face, eyes almost daring me to gush all over Maverick. “Oh, and no flirting. That’s against the rules.”
“For you maybe, bro, but not for me. My biggest fan, eh? Well, hello, Miss Reese Murphy. I’m honored you’ve read a book or two.”
“All of them. At least twice.”
He laughed, the creases in his eyes giving him a rugged appearance, which wasn’t far removed from the photographs on his book jackets. “I’m impressed. I think you are my biggest fan. I’ll certainly never be able to say that about my buddies. Now, will I?”
Kendrick shot him his middle finger and the gesture of disdain highlighted their close friendship.
“You’re former FBI, an admirable position.” I was beginning to realize just how highly skilled the group truly was. “I have so many questions.”
“I am, although the longer I’m out of the game, the more uncertain I am that my work was admirable. However, when this nightmare is all over, I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have over a very intimate dinner,” Maverick offered, exchanging a mischievous glance with Kendrick who grimaced in response.
“Fuck you, buddy.”
Maverick’s laugh was good natured and as strange as it might sound, I sensed the same determined darkness that I’d instantly seen in Kendrick. They were very close, the relationship calming my nerves. “Not that I’m not honored to meet a fan, but you reached out on the business line, Kendrick.”
“That’s because my guest of honor needed a little convincing that we knew what we were doing.”
Maverick sat back in his chair, allowing me to see he was in an office with a massive whiteboard behind him, notes written across almost every inch. While his handwriting was difficult to read, I knew exactly what he was working on.
The case involving the Privileged.
He noticed my intent gaze, his following mine. “I’m a little old school, Reese. I found that the act of physically writing notes was always helpful in solving a case. You’d be amazed how you can put two and two together.”
“Does that mean you’ve solved anything?” Kendrick asked.
“Maybe one clue.” Maverick stretched. “They need a gatekeeper and I’m not talking about Steven Powell, a man with no existence.”
“No surprise there,” Kendrick said, laughing. “So who are you thinking is the gatekeeper?”
“He’d need to be someone high enough in power that he would be alerted immediately if anyone was making inquiries into the group.”
The two of them had a strong connection. Kendrick’s face clouded. “Someone like the director of the CIA.”
“Or the FBI. It all depends on how broad reaching the group’s web is.” Maverick lifted a single eyebrow. “But I’d be very careful if I were you.”
“I understand.” Kendrick’s voice was clipped. “Have you heard from Catcher?” He looked at me. “The man on the inside of the Privileged.”
Maverick shook his head. “Which unnerves me a little bit.”
Catcher. The man on the inside. Now I understood even better how Kendrick’s infiltration had come about and the lengths he and this group had gone to. Whatever happened, I’d be forever grateful.
“Yeah, well, it’s best we all move forward very carefully. I’m about to send off some sketches of the women we noticed. Any activities with the seaports?”
“None. I’ve alerted the port master and I have a buddy on the Coast Guard. None of the women will be heading out on any of the cargo ships.”
“Don’t forget yachts. They could hide women very easily in the lower compartments,” I offered.
Maverick grinned. “She’s a keeper, Kendrick. And she’s right. I’ll talk to my buddy with the guard and have them expand their watch, checking for anyone heading out to international waters.”
“Good. Let’s hope for a hit on the women and for a phone call.”
Maverick nodded. “Don’t let the old doddering fool bother you, Reese. Kendrick is mostly harmless.”
“Shut the fuck up.” Kendrick laughed and ended the call, immediately taking the sketches to a scanning machine. His silence was a clear indication some unsaid but important communication had passed from one to the other.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.”
“Not good enough. This is about this gatekeeper. Isn’t it?”
“While Maverick’s idea is a damn good one, if he’s correct, that could create additional problems.”
“Because you might know the person he’s talking about.”
He nodded. “And if that’s the case, my cover has already been blown.”
CHAPTER 16
Reese
The essence of pizza lingered in the kitchen, the sweet fragrance of sauce and pepperoni, sausage and mushrooms still assaulting my senses.
Plus, my beloved Canadian bacon.
Kendrick had insisted on ordering pizza for dinner. Once it had arrived, he’d taken his plate with him, now doing God knew what. He’d done an excellent job of staying away from me.
I felt as if I was being punished, the penance for having any sexual desires for him worse than the flogging I’d received.
I’d come to the untethered conclusion men were far too complicated to deal with. In my defense, the men I’d dated up to this point had all been self-centered pricks because that’s all I’d managed to meet in Jacksonville. Or maybe I’d had my guard up to the point the nice guys had all been terrified of me. I don’t know if it was the sun and the salty sea air offering a perfect life in some affluent ocean view villa that had created the group of narcissists I’d run into, but after a string of bad first dates, I’d tossed in the towel.
That didn’t mean I’d been happy about it. I’d tried to pretend I didn’t mind lonely nights, enjoying my quiet time to do whatever I wanted. However, after engaging in highly inappropriate carnal activities with Kendrick, I’d reminded myself at least a dozen times that I’d lost my mind the two nights before.
Completely. Totally. As if somehow the terrifying and humiliating days spent locked away had stripped me of all my mental faculties.
I’d also felt safe, which allowed the guilt to continue crowding in. My sister was still out there, still suffering and I felt safe. The mixture of emotions had kept me on edge for the last day and a half.
Kendrick and I had been like two ships passing in the night, only neither one of us had gotten much sleep. I’d found him the night before in the mission control room making lists and cross referencing what little information had been gathered. His frustration was increasing. So was mine.
As the hours ticked by, the fear that I’d never see my sister again increased.
I put the few remaining slices of pizza in the fridge then wiped the counter, which I’d done four times. With the twilight settling in, I was growing even antsier.
“Have a drink.”
The sound of his voice startled me and I jumped, half laughing when I turned around. He was standing in the doorway of the kitchen in another pair of faded jeans and a Miami Heat tee shirt that had seen better days. As anticipated, he was wearing his signature cowboy boots that I’d wanted nothing more than to run my fingers across. Just like I wanted to do with his tattoos.
For some reason, I’d chosen one of the simple dresses hanging in the closet. Maybe because the air was sweltering outside, the bright sun beating through the windows making the house seem like an oven.
Or maybe the excessive heat exploding in every pore and blood cell was centered around our close proximity. Since I wasn’t allowed outside without a guard dog, there weren’t enough rooms in the expansive house to keep us from running into each other.
Broody vibes dripped off him in waves as they’d done the entire time I’d known him.
The look on his face was as heated as any I’d seen, his eyes making a dangerously slow trail down to my bare feet. Afterwards, he inhaled and ambled toward the refrigerator.
I stood silently, watching as he yanked out a beer. With the door standing open, he threw a look over his shoulder at me, offering a cold bottle.
“Why not.”
After he grabbed his, we stood a few feet away, taking cautious sips as if we were on a first date and had no clue what to say. I hid behind the bottle, taking a few sips until I noticed the box of chocolate-covered cherries.
He’d tried to do something sweet, forcing the poor delivery boy to stop and hunt down a box. Maybe he was trying to say he was sorry or appease me. Oh, why not? The chocolate was calling my name. I ignored his presence and my beer, tearing open the box and plucking one delicious-looking chocolate ball into my fingers.
When I caught him staring, I shrugged. “I told you. I love chocolate. Have you ever had one before?”
All he did was shake his head with such slow and even precision that if I’d blinked, I would have missed it.
“You’re missing out,” I whispered, laughing softly as I brushed the back of my hand down my neck, tingling from the filthy thoughts that lingered.
He was paying very close attention.
I purposely turned toward him when I nibbled on the end, gathering a few shards of chocolate in my mouth. His chest rose and fell, his eyes becoming hooded. It was the way his nostrils flared that created additional warmth between my legs.
When a few drops of the delicious cherry cordial oozed from my lips, my hero took a deep breath. Hero. That had a nice ring to it. Allowing a slight husky moan to escape, I dragged my tongue through the luscious liquid, refusing to lose a single drop.
He tilted his head, the hold on his beer tightening.
When I chomped on the cherry inside, a soft yet distinctive sound flowed past my lips. There was something magnificent about the ooey-gooey chocolate, much more of an aphrodisiac than anything else I’d ever tasted.
Just as I opened my eyes again, I realized he’d taken a step closer. Perhaps teasing him was a very bad idea, but I was unable to help myself, using the tip of my pinky, sliding it around my lips. His beer disappeared, unwanted.
Unneeded.
He remained silent, his insufferable mood driving me almost as crazy as the scent of his aftershave. Why did men choose to wear it when they weren’t interested in taking a step outside the house? Just to drive women crazy? Well, he was doing a very good job of it.
When I dared grab another chocolate, he followed the line of my hand, taking a deep breath the moment I wrapped my fingers around the candy. Before I could plop the second one in my mouth, he snapped his fingers around my wrist, easily able to pull me toward him.
As he peered down at me, he lifted my arm, forcing me to feed him the chocolate. What could be more enticing than watching a man chomp down on a piece of candy he’d never experienced before?
The moment he did, fondant slipped past his lush lips and it was as if a dam was broken.
Only this time, I was the aggressor.
On my tiptoes, I captured his open mouth, forced to lean into him to keep my balance. Together, we shared the piece of candy, our lips colliding, our tongues entwining.
Within seconds, he’d yanked me even closer, fisting my hair and tugging my head. Between the taste of his mouth and the chocolate, I was high on the sweetness.
The kiss became explosive as the hunger we shared refused to be denied any longer. I’d never wanted a man as much as I’d experienced with Kendrick and right now, I was no longer capable of keeping my distance. No matter the justified rationale.
With the candy finished, he devoured my mouth, taking full control as he’d longed to do. I’d seen the look in his eyes, the hardcore famished yearning that had been the very reason he’d kept his distance.
He wasn’t any more patient than he’d been before, yanking the hem of my dress. I wiggled in his hold, fighting with him. But all I was doing was driving the thick bulge between his legs against me, creating unimaginable friction.
There was even more of a controlling need in him. I could smell the power on him, a perfect combination with the musk of his aftershave. His actions became rougher, greedier. Even more dominating, the kiss was just a reminder that for the time being, I was his. Why was it that every time I thought about his possession of me, I tingled all over?
When he finally broke the kiss, I was so breathless I couldn’t think clearly.
“You taste divine.”
I tugged at his shirt until I could reach my hand underneath. A smile slowly curled across his face as he studied me, allowing me to press the tips of my fingers against his chest. But as soon as I did, a deep growl rumbled from the depths of his chest.
“You taste like sin,” I responded, no longer tolerating his shirt. As I yanked the thin material, I was shocked it ripped in my hands, laughing nervously. “Oops. I hope that wasn’t your favorite.”
“In fact, it was. You owe me. More than just a shirt.” He yanked it away, ripping the rest until he was able to toss it aside.
“What kind of payment will you take?” I brushed my fingers across his collarbone, drifting them ever so slowly to his chest. As I darted my eyes to his face, I could read his thoughts clearly and loved every one of them.
“Anything I want.”
“Mmm… We’re playing with fire.”
“And suddenly, I just don’t give a damn.”
He shoved me against the island, cupping both sides of my face, his eyes shimmering before he darted them back and forth.
It was another moment where all time stopped, the echoing sound of my rapidly beating heart heard the only sound besides his labored breathing. Tiptoeing around each other had been nothing more than a powerful draw, an intolerable force of nature.
“I can’t wait to drive my cock into your wet pussy. And tonight, I’ll claim your tight asshole as well.”
His filthy words made me shudder. He lowered his head slowly, breathing across my face. When he captured my mouth once again, I was torn between the building lust and the rational woman who knew letting go was likely not a good idea. Yet all sense of purpose faded as he kissed me as if he was taking his dying breath, the sensations tearing through me impossible to describe.
As his tongue explored, I closed my eyes, wishing that this could last forever. The roaring passion continued until suddenly, I couldn’t feel him any longer. The loss of explosive heat and his body weight was tremendous, and I blinked several times before realizing that he’d backed away by several feet. I pressed my fingers across my lips, still in a fog from the scintillating French kiss.
Nothing about him should surprise me, including when he yanked off my dress or when he raked his arm across the kitchen island, careful to avoid the special box of chocolates. The sound of items falling made my breath even heavier. It seemed his patience was all but shot, as he ripped at the straps on my bra, exposing my breasts. As soon as he did, he shook his head, cupping both. The hard squeeze brought another scattered whimper to my lips.
Reaching back, I grabbed the island to keep me from falling. Even with the weight of his body so close, I feared my legs would give out. That’s the kind of effect he had on me. As he lowered his head, I closed my eyes, the feel of his hot, wet mouth on my nipples amazing.
I was barely aware he’d removed the piece of lingerie until he pinched my nipples. The man knew exactly how to create a heated pool of wetness between my legs.
There was even more of a sense of urgency in him, the sound of lace ripping assaulting my senses as he yanked down my thong. Why was it that the thought of being naked in front of him while he was still lounging in jeans and boots was so thrilling?
He certainly wasn’t interested in taking his time. After sucking on one nipple then the other, biting down only once, I realized he’d grabbed something. A chocolate.
With a slight purr slipping past my lips, I watched intently as he popped the chocolate with his fingers, lifting his heated gaze while he drizzled my already swollen nipple with the liquid.
Another rugged growl.
Another intense look of possession.
Another drizzle before he engulfed my hardened bud.
“Oh, my God.” Every sound he made as he sucked the cordial from my body brought a wider smile.
How naughty of him.
He didn’t stop there, dragging his tongue between my breasts, crawling his fingers behind the trail he’d created. The bastard was toying with me, teasing me as I’d done with him.
Lifting his head, he drizzled the last of the liquid, waiting for a few seconds before sweeping his tongue through the scattered drops.
I wrapped my arm around his head, holding him in place, but he was having none of me being in control.
This time as he looked at me, he shook his head. “You’re such a naughty vixen. You’re right that you need practice in learning to surrender to my every need. Plus,” he continued as he rolled the tip of his finger down my nose, “I think you need a reminder.”
