Chapter Two
She hated wearing heels. She hated the confines of her too tight dress. She hated having to make small talk and act interested in the conversations that arrogant assholes were having. Elizabeth just hated the whole scene. Landon had said the event was a necessary evil. Wright doesn’t function alone. He needs backers. Not that those backers knew the truth. Wright was keeping the true nature of his program—the truth about Lazarus—secret.
Landon liked the wining and the dining and the charming, and since he enjoyed it so much, she figured he could handle the rest of the night all by himself. Her heels clicked on the stairs as she hurried down to the bottom level of the historic D.C. building. The staircase was spiral, huge, and the air chilled her skin as she descended. At first glance, no one appeared to be on the lower level of the old building. Why would anyone be? The party was upstairs.
But…
Sawyer was down there. Somewhere, waiting in the shadows. Waiting for me.
The event was being held at an art museum on the edge of D.C. The first floor was full of artwork—high-end pieces of abstract art. Each piece was connected to a security system and when she finally reached the first floor, Elizabeth caught sight of a few security guards patrolling the area. Not deserted, after all.
The museum was their cover for the night. If reporters got curious, the story would just circulate that the rich and powerful had been at that location for an art gala—a fundraising ball. And some money would be donated to the museum.
More money would go to Wright’s pet project. A lot more.
In D.C., what you saw was never the real story.
The first-floor galleries were open, though, as part of the cover, so people could walk in and admire the work. No one was doing that, though, not while the real action was upstairs. She gave a weak smile to one of the guards and headed into the gallery on her right. She really wasn’t sure exactly where on that first floor Sawyer was. The guy should have been more specific with his meeting plan.
Instead, he’d been mysterious. Demanding. And sexy in his tux.
She walked past two long, red curtains—
A hand flew out and wrapped around her wrist. “It’s been ten minutes, doc. Ten, not five.”
Her lips parted, but in the next moment, he’d yanked her through the curtains. Through the curtains and into what she saw was actually a small office. Before she could make a sound, he’d shut the door of that office, locked it, and then Sawyer had pinned her between his rock-hard body and the wooden door.
“You kept me waiting.” His words were a growl.
“I—”
“Gonna have to make you pay for that.” And his right hand moved down to grab the material of her dress. He pushed it up, and his fingers stroked her thigh. “Feels like fucking silk…”
Her mouth had gone absolutely dry, and her heart was about to burst right out of her chest. She knew he wasn’t talking about the material of her dress. He was talking about her.
“Are you wearing panties?”
He didn’t give her a chance to reply. Instead, he shoved the fabric of her dress up even higher, and then Sawyer’s fingers were pushing between her legs and discovering that no, she wasn’t wearing panties.
Because I knew I’d be seeing him. Knew, hoped, same thing.
“Fuck, baby, what you do to me…” His fingers slid over her sex. Elizabeth’s head tipped back against the door, and she had to press her lips together to stop herself from moaning.
“You’re already wet.” One finger caressed her clit and her whole body jerked. His mouth pressed to her throat, kissing, licking, and then he gave a little nip. “Did you miss me as fucking much as I missed you?”
More. Her eyes opened, and all pretense dropped. “I need you, Sawyer. Now.” It had been torture, absolute torture, to exam him earlier that day and not give in to her need. To pretend that nothing was happening between them. To ignore the wild, desperate desire that she felt for him. A need that had swept her up into a dark obsession of lust and sensual craving months ago. The attraction had always been there, burning just beneath the surface for them both, but then one night…
She’d heard a knock at her apartment door. When she’d opened the door, Sawyer had been standing there. His stormy blue eyes had been filled with a stark hunger.
Two minutes later, they’d been in bed together. They’d wrecked her bed.
Her hand angled between them. She stroked his cock through the fabric of his pants. He was big and long and heavy, and she didn’t want to wait. Her body was in a fever pitch, and she needed him inside of her. “Sawyer.”
He pulled back. Dammit, he pulled back. But then she heard the hiss of his zipper. A wide smile crossed her face. Yes. He came back to her in a rush, his strong hands curled around her waist, and he lifted her up. Her back shoved into the wood of the door even as her legs wrapped around his hips. The head of his cock pressed against the entrance to her body. And—
He sank deep. Her breath choked out, and then he kissed her. His tongue thrust into her mouth even as his cock drove into her body, again and again. He used his iron-hard hold on her hips to lift her up and down, moving her quickly over the length of his cock. And every sensual movement had her clit sliding against him. Her eyes squeezed shut even as her nails bit into the fabric of his tux. Her climax was coming. Already. That was how desperate she was for him. Her body was so primed. The climax was building and charging her entire body.
He tore his mouth from hers. “No sound, baby. Remember…”
She wanted to scream. Her sex clenched around him and pleasure burst through her. She bit her lower lip, hard, holding back the cry of release even as she felt him erupt inside of her. His cock jerked, his body shuddered, and Sawyer held her so tightly Elizabeth wondered if she’d bruise.
And she didn’t even care.
Gradually, her heartbeat went from a thunder to a slow thud. He was still inside of her, and Sawyer’s hands gripped her waist. She licked her lips, cleared her throat, and managed to whisper, “Did I hurt you?”
His head lifted. Oh, jeez, but he was handsome. Not in some clean-cut, carefully styled way. But in a dangerous, predatory way. Bad boy to the core. Hard jaw, glittering eyes, razor-sharp cheekbones.
“Hurt me?” Sawyer repeated. “Not even close, baby.”
“Your wounds…”
“When I’m in you, doc, the only thing I feel is pleasure.”
Her sex squeezed him. Totally reflex. And it totally felt good. Amazing. But… “W-we should go. Someone could come by and find us.” Having sex at the museum had probably been a colossal mistake. She’d just—needed him. Missed him.
I lost my control.
Sawyer was the only man who’d ever made her lose control.
“Right. Time to go back to being your dirty little secret.” He withdrew from her. His words had held a definite edge. Danger.
Her heart stuttered as her feet slid down and touched the floor. She’d lost her shoes. Shit. Where were they? “You know it’s not like that.” She could still feel him, on the inside.
And outside. All over her skin. His scent seemed to cover her.
Maybe she liked it. It was primitive, basic. Like carrying a mark for a mate. She wanted her scent on him, too, and she liked having his scent on her.
He zipped up and straightened his clothes. Sawyer’s dark hair wasn’t even out of place. Meanwhile, she felt like a wreck.
Elizabeth caught sight of her shoe—one shoe. A good five feet away. She hurried toward it.
But Sawyer caught her arm before she could pass him. “I’m sorry.” His words were gruff. “Didn’t mean to sound like a dick.”
Her gaze cut back to him.
“I want the whole world to know about us. You’re mine, Elizabeth. You’re in my fucking blood.”
And just like that—her heart was racing too fast again. “If our relationship was discovered, Wright would separate us.” She knew they’d broken the rules by getting involved. No fraternizing—no sexual relationship—was allowed in their division. No mixing under Wright’s command. She was the doctor, and Sawyer was the Pack leader. Nothing more. That was the way things were supposed to be, but… “I may be going strictly to research soon.” The words tumbled from her. Wright had told her that news when she’d gone in for her face-to-face meeting with him. He’d been so impressed by the work she’d done with Lazarus. He’d been practically crowing, but meanwhile, the knot in her stomach had just gotten worse. “Or maybe, um, I’ve actually been thinking about getting out of Wright’s group altogether.” Perhaps doing a whole new kind of work. “If that happens, there won’t be a need for secrets any longer.”
He pressed a kiss to her lips. “Baby, I’ve been thinking the same thing. Maybe it’s time for a change. Time to let go of the battles and focus on something else.”
His stare was on her. What was he saying? What did he—
“You, baby. I want you. If I can’t have you and the team, then you’re my choice. Always. Know that.”
Warmth spread through her. A giddy warmth that made her want to smile and laugh. She’d never felt this way about anyone. A guy like Sawyer—so intense and dangerous—he wasn’t her normal type. Not at all. But something had clicked between them.
The attraction had been too strong. The need too fierce. And the connection? She could swear it went soul deep.
“Now get those sexy shoes back on, doc, because I want to get you home. I want you in a bed.” He kissed her. “The first climax took the edge off, but I’m gonna need a whole lot more from you.”
She’d need a whole lot more, too.
Elizabeth pulled away. She grabbed one shoe. Sawyer found the other. Her knees only wobbled a bit as she hurried out of the room. Her shoes rapped over the gleaming floor as she headed back to the main lobby and the spiral staircase. Sawyer didn’t follow, not right away. Another tactic they used. They never left places together, they tried not to stay together too long, and—
“Elizabeth.”
And Landon was waiting for her near the bottom of the stairs. Sweet Jesus. She put a hand to her chest, startled. Why did the guy just keep popping up in her path?
Landon looked over her shoulder. “Where’s Sawyer?”
“I-I don’t know.” I can feel him on my skin.
Landon kept peering behind her. “I saw you two on the balcony together.”
Wait, he’d seen them? Her cheeks flushed, but…Landon hadn’t seen anything earth-shattering. Just two people talking. We did nothing wrong. At least, not on the balcony, they hadn’t.
“I thought you’d come down here together.”
“No.” Her voice was flat. “We didn’t.” Was her hair a wreck? Was her dress twisted? “I’m tired, Landon. I’m going home.” She inclined her head toward him. “Goodnight.” Elizabeth walked around him and headed toward the glass doors that would take her outside and to the safety of her car.
But he followed. He followed her out of the building, away from the guards, and to the parking lot. He was silent behind her as the valet brought her car around, and every moment that passed made Elizabeth nervous. Her breath came a little too fast. Tension stretched inside of her, until she just snapped. Elizabeth spun around. “What is it?” His silent follow routine had unnerved her.
Landon blinked. He shrugged. “I was just…I wanted to make sure you got to your car safely.”
Oh. Crap. That was nice. And also, very unlike him. He’d never cared before. The valet arrived with her SUV, and she forced a smile for Landon. “Thank you. I’m good, though. Everything’s okay.”
Still, he hesitated.
The valet handed Elizabeth her keys and hurried away. As soon as he was gone, Landon moved closer to her.
“We’ve got the go-ahead,” he whispered, his words coming rapid-fire, as if he just couldn’t contain them any longer.
Her brows lifted.
And still, he came even closer. “Wright just gave me approval. He wants Lazarus used on human subjects.”
Her heart stopped. Stopped, and then started racing like mad. “It’s not ready. I told you, it’s not ready for human use yet. And the testings don’t work like—”
Landon caught her arm. “Wright doesn’t follow the rules. He makes them. Our division is off the books, and he wants human testing. Now. Before someone else makes the same breakthrough that you did. Increased strength, faster reflexes, and reanimation? Are you kidding me? Of course, he’s ready to jump on this. We just need the right candidates—”
A motorcycle’s roar filled the night, cutting right through his words, and then a blinding light was shining on them.
Cursing, Landon snatched his hand away from her and shielded his eyes. Elizabeth didn’t move. The motorcycle’s growl grew louder as it headed straight for them. She knew who was driving that motorcycle even before the bike braked, and, over the growl of the engine, she heard…
“There a problem out here?” Sawyer drawled.
Landon shook his head, but he’d taken a step back. “Of course not. I was—I was making sure Elizabeth got safely to her car.”
Sawyer turned off his headlight. Immediately, the scene plunged into darkness. Elizabeth knew her eyes would adjust soon, but she experienced a few disorienting moments as she stood there.
“Glad you’re looking after the doc.” But Sawyer didn’t sound glad. The guy sounded pissed. Just as he’d sounded earlier that day when he talked to Landon. “Wouldn’t want anything to ever happen to her.”
Her shoulders straightened. “Yes, well, I think I can manage to get into a vehicle by myself. But thanks.” She gave a crisp nod to them both. “Goodnight, gentlemen.” But she hesitated. Her head turned toward Landon. He hadn’t been walking her out because he was being nice. The guy had been working his agenda. He was waiting until we were clear to tell me about his talk with Wright. Landon wanted the Lazarus trials to start immediately. She didn’t. “We will talk more. Lazarus isn’t ready.” Her low voice was just for him.
She hurried to her SUV. Elizabeth climbed inside and drove away moments later. When she hit the main road, Elizabeth glanced into her rearview mirror. She expected to see the light from a motorcycle behind her.
But there was only darkness.
***
Sawyer’s grip was too tight on the handlebars. He needed to settle the hell down, and he knew it, but…
Landon had followed Elizabeth out of the gallery. The guy had put his hands on her—for a second time that day. The prick was pissing Sawyer off to a dangerous degree.
“She doesn’t want you touching her.” Sawyer’s words came out low and hard and deadly.
Landon stiffened. “Excuse me?”
“The doc.” He turned off his motorcycle and slid off the bike. For this talk, he wanted to be up-close and personal. Sawyer took his time heading toward the guy who’d been sniffing around Elizabeth far too long. “She doesn’t like to be touched. You’ve worked with her for months. Surely you’ve noticed that trait before now, right?”
“I—yes, I know that she tends to avoid touching unless it’s part of an exam or—”
“So why…” Sawyer’s voice was clipped. “Why in the hell have I seen you touching her twice today?”
Landon stiffened. “Why does it matter to you?”
“Because she takes care of me and my team. And I don’t want anyone or anything making Elizabeth—the doc—uncomfortable.” Because I don’t want your hands on her, got me?
“You’re misunderstanding the situation.”
Sawyer stalked forward, not stopping until he was toe-to-toe with the bastard. He’d never liked Landon. The guy always had his nose in the air. He treated Sawyer and his team like they were weapons, not people. Didn’t ever seem to care about what was happening in their lives. Patch us up, get us out. Aim and attack. Landon wasn’t like Elizabeth. Elizabeth was considerate. She cared. Elizabeth talked to the team. She smiled, she teased but…
Elizabeth doesn’t like to be touched, not unless I’m the one doing the touching. “Then let’s make sure there are no more misunderstandings. Keep your hands off her.”
“You’re awfully protective.”
You have no clue. “Part of the job description, right? You want me and my team to protect and defend. It’s what I’m doing.” I’d protect Elizabeth with my last breath. He towered over Landon, and he entertained the awesome image of knocking the bastard out with one punch. “It’s important for us to be clear on a few things.”
Elizabeth was long gone. He should go now and get to her place. He’d park his motorcycle a few streets over and be back at her building in moments. Then he’d be in her—
Sawyer turned away from the jerk who was just slowing down his night. He’d taken three steps toward his bike when Landon called out, freezing him.
“What if Elizabeth wants me to touch her?” The words were a taunt, and they were one hell of a lot bolder than Sawyer had ever expected the prick to be.
Very slowly, Sawyer turned to face Landon.
“What if…” Landon lifted his chin. Chin-in-the-air-asshole. “What if she wants me to touch her?” He actually repeated his idiotic question.
Sawyer laughed. A deep, rumbling laugh. “Never gonna happen.” He jumped on the motorcycle. “But that was funny as shit.” He turned on the motorcycle and revved the engine.
“How do you know?” Landon snarled.
“Easy. You aren’t her type.” I am. “Remember, hands the fuck off.” Then he blasted out of the parking lot and went after the woman he wanted. The only one.
***
“I fucking hate that SOB,” Landon muttered as he watched the motorcycle vanish. Sawyer and his Pack—they thought they were the rulers of the world. That they could do anything they wanted. Anytime. Anywhere.
They had no clue. They were the brawn, but he was the brains. Without him—without Elizabeth—Wright’s whole unit would flounder.
And did Sawyer think that Landon didn’t know the guy was hot for Elizabeth? Every time that bastard looked at her, Sawyer’s eyes burned. If he could, Landon knew that Sawyer would fucking eat Elizabeth alive.
But you’re not her type. You’re not, Sawyer. Because Elizabeth would never want a killer. She wouldn’t want a weapon. She was meant for more. Elizabeth and her absolutely brilliant mind deserved more.
She’d graduated med school when she was twenty. She was the leading expert on bio genetics and cellular manipulation. Hell, she had more degrees than any person he knew. The woman’s brain never stopped, and he’d been thrilled when Wright lured her into his program.
Elizabeth was going places, and Landon intended to be right at her side the whole time. She was the perfect partner. An asset that he couldn’t afford to lose.
So, no, he didn’t plan to screw with her. Sawyer could relax on that score. Landon didn’t want Elizabeth for her body, though it was passable enough. He wanted her for her fucking fantastic mind.
We’re going ahead on Lazarus. Turning away from the lot, he headed back toward the gallery, whistling as he went. Lazarus would change the world.
It would be unforgettable.
They just had to find the right test subjects…