Chapter 23
Kendall clung to the Saints and Logan as she said goodbye, offering tearful thanks for her rescue once more. Then she clung to Marc’s hand during most of their chartered flight, although it was peacefully uneventful as they landed in Baton Rouge by early afternoon. Planting a kiss on her lips as they taxied into the hangar, Marc whispered, “You good?”
Smiling against his lips, she murmured, “With you beside me? Always.”
Hoping her words were true, he grinned as the plane came to a stop.
Marc alighted first, seeing Jack standing near Kenneth Rhodes. A flash of doubt flew through his mind at the thought of her life in Louisiana and his in Virginia. Moving slightly to allow Kendall a chance to see her father also, he watched as she screamed, “Dad!”
Running to her father, he captured her in his embrace, tears filling his eyes.
Marc headed over to Jack and Patrick, shaking their hands as he shot a glance to the side, ascertaining Kendall was all right. She was tearful, but smiling. As he turned back, Jack and Patrick both smirked at him. “Yeah, yeah,” he said, rubbing his chin as he grinned at them.
Kendall dragged her father over to Marc, making the introductions. Kenneth shook Marc’s hand vigorously, thanking him for saving his daughter. As the group made their way to the SUV, Kendall slipped her hand into Marc’s. He dropped his gaze down to their hands before lifting his head, cocking his eyebrow at her. She replied with a smile of her own as she linked her fingers tightly with his. As he assisted her into the back seat of the vehicle, he noted her father’s gaze was latched on their hands as well.
It did not take long to drive into town, Kendall insisting they go to the NCBRT first, against Kenneth’s protests.
“Dad, I had a chance to shower and rest last night. I’ve got work to do today.” Turning to Marc she asked, “Do you think there’s any reason not to go in?”
His jaw tight, he replied, “I hate like hell to put you in danger, but it’s probably no secret that you’re still alive.”
“Will you stay with me?” she asked, her voice less sure.
“You got it,” he replied.
“Kendall,” her dad interrupted. “Plans have changed. We have a meeting scheduled with the representatives from Homeland Security for this afternoon, but they still want us to come to D.C. as well. We’ve decided to send a contingency. Cliff wants to go, but he’s not a good presenter, so Will and Fahdil are going as well.”
“Then I’m going too!” Kendall stated emphatically. As soon as her father opened his mouth, she argued, “No, Dad. I’m not having him step all over my research. Will and Fahdil are good, but I know the research implications better than anyone!”
Unable to disagree with her assessment, Kenneth looked over at his daughter, taking her hand in his. “I just want you safe,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion.
Leaning her head onto her father’s shoulder, she said, “Dad, with Marc I’ll be as safe as I could ever hope to be.”
Jack and Patrick shared a smile as the Saints’ boss said, “Looks like we’ll be heading back to Virginia sooner rather than later!”
*
Stepping into the conference room full of co-workers, Kendall smiled at the group, noting the expressions of both shock and happiness. She wished Marc had not insinuated that someone from the NCBRT might be behind the sabotage, but now the thought stuck with her. Determined to take charge, she said, “Well, I’m back from the wilds of Canada and ready to get to work. I understand Kenneth is getting a contingency of us together to attend the meeting in D.C.—”
“There’s no need for you to go,” Cliff interrupted, his glower firmly in place. Estelle shot him a glare, but he continued to insist. “I can handle the meeting.”
“I’m sure you can handle the technical aspect just fine, but we will be going as a group, nonetheless.”
Will grinned before attempting to cover his amusement behind his hand. Cliff was too angry to notice, but Kendall observed Estelle looking around the room, her mouth in a tight line of disapproval.
Turning to Fahdil, Kendall asked, “How’s your wife?”
Smiling his appreciation, Fahdil replied, “Much better thank you. It was minor surgery and my daughter has come to check on her. I’m also expecting my son to come and visit as well, so I’ll be able to make the trip with you.”
“Perfect,” she replied before turning back to the group. “Okay, you have your presentations to prepare and we will leave first thing tomorrow morning. Estelle will have the flight arrangements, right?”
Estelle forced a smile on her face as she nodded. “My assistant will email you with the details.”
At that, the group dispersed with many coming to hug Kendall and to offer their thanks for her safe return.
Finally, turning to Marc, who was standing by the door, she walked over to his embrace. Leaning her head back to look into his face, she reached up to touch his dimple. “What are you smiling about?”
“Seeing you come in here and take charge was sexy as fuck!”
Laughing, she said, “Would you believe that before the trip to Alaska and everything that happened over the past days, I wouldn’t have done this?”
“So what’s changed?”
Taking a deep breath, she shook her head slowly. “I don’t know exactly, but managing to survive in the wilderness…let’s just say, I found my backbone!”
“I’d say it shook some sass into you,” Marc pronounced as he lowered his head to capture her lips. After a moment, he pulled back reluctantly and asked, “So what do you need to do today?”
“Mmm, I’ll get Karen to pull together my notes and then let’s head to my place. I’ve got plants to water, packing to do, and I’m dying for some Chinese food!”
“Anything else?” he murmured against her lips.
“And I think I can just fit in making love to my mountain man,” she replied, her giggle cut off as his lips descended once more.
*
Jack and Patrick landed in Virginia and smiled as Cam picked them up at the airport. Shaking hands, they piled into the Saints’ SUV and headed back to the compound.
“Anything new?” Cam asked as he maneuvered the large vehicle along the country roads.
“Marc and Kendall will be coming here after all,” Jack said, gaining a lifted eyebrow from Cam. Chuckling, Jack explained. “Dr. Kenneth Rhodes needs to send a group to D.C. tomorrow and Kendall will head it up. So, Marc will be accompanying the scientists to D.C.”
Shaking his head, Cam said, “And I thought you were indicating there was something between Marc and the younger Dr. Rhodes.” He caught the shared look between Jack and Patrick and grinned. “Oh, so I see I might be right after all.”
Jack, getting back to business, asked, “Charlie and Luke find anything?”
Nodding, Cam said, “I heard her say this morning that she was finally getting somewhere. I think they’ll have a report for all of us as soon as we get back.”
*
Stepping into Kendall’s apartment, Marc did a quick walkthrough for security before allowing her to step through the door. As he watched her enter, his gaze roamed around the space, curious about her home. The apartment was not large, although it was in a nice part of town. Boring beige carpeting and white walls were broken up with a colorful sofa and comfortable chair facing a television, flanked with floor to ceiling bookshelves. A large window overlooked a nearby park, offering a view of trees and a small pond.
She watched him take in her apartment before shrugging, “It’s not much, but it’s home.”
Grinning, he stalked over to her and, with a kiss to her forehead, said, “Anywhere with you is home, sweet girl.”
“I chose this one because of the park view.” Laughing, she said, “Now that I’ve camped in the wilds, my little park seems kind of tame.” Holding his gaze, she added, “I’m really glad you’re here with me.”
“Nowhere else I’d rather be,” he admitted, fighting the urge to lead her into the bedroom and peeling her clothes off one by one.
Blushing slightly, she said, “Um…I know I wanted to order Chinese, but I wondered if maybe you’d like to…um—”
Grinning, he pulled her tightly into his body, his erection pressing into her stomach, and watched her eyes light. “You asking if I want to take you to bed before Chinese?” Seeing her lips curve into a delicious smile as she nodded, he scooped her up into his arms, stalking down the hall before depositing her in the middle of her bed.
“It’s only a double and not a king,” she apologized, considering his large body fitting onto her bed.
“Then, darlin’,” he mumbled as he kissed her, “we’ll just have to get closer.”
Peeling her clothes off slowly, he fought the urge to hurry, knowing he wanted to take his time to savor every moment. Not knowing how long they would have together, he vowed to make sure he spent his time worshiping her body. He moved his hand from her hips to grasp the material of her shirt, pulling it upward. She leaned forward just enough to allow him to slide it over her head before he tossed it to the side.
Her silky breasts spilled out of the top of her lacy bra and he trailed his lips from hers, kissing his way tortuously down her neck into her cleavage. Kendall’s skin came alive as his lips moved over her breasts. Unfastening her bra, he peeled it away and it joined her shirt as it was tossed over the edge of the bed.
Sliding down her body, he tugged her pants down past her hips, snagging her panties as he went. With her body spread out before him, a feast to be savored, he leaned over while resting his weight on one hand as he admired her perfection.
Her rosy tipped nipples beckoned and he obliged. Sucking one deeply into his mouth, he nipped with his teeth before soothing the sting with his tongue. She writhed as the sensation shot straight from her breasts to her core.
She giggled in shock as he stood up and grabbed her ankles to pull her to the side of the bed. Raising her head, she watched as he laid a trail of open-mouth, wet kisses from her breasts down her stomach, ending between her legs. With her spread wide, he feasted on her wet folds, sliding his tongue deep inside.
Throwing her head back on the mattress as the sensations swept over her, her fingers clutched the comforter. Her sex throbbed as his tongue continued its thrusts. She rocked her hips upward, unable to keep still. He chuckled, placing his large hand on her stomach to hold her in place. Licking her folds, he pressed his tongue inside her sex before moving up slightly to pull her clit into his mouth. One hand slid towards her breasts, slightly pinching a nipple.
Kendall cried out as sparks flew out from her core in all directions. Her fingers left the covers to move over his head, still between her legs. He lapped up her juices as the orgasm created the flow he had been waiting for.
Unsure if she could move, her legs flopped to the sides as her heart pounded erratically. Standing, Marc jerked his t-shirt over his head before shucking his jeans and boxers, freeing his erection. Crawling back over her body, he dragged her higher on the bed. Lifting her head, she admired the physique towering over her. Seeing him naked in the light of day, his muscular body proudly on display, her chest heaved as she sucked in a deep breath. Over six feet of honed muscles, his six-pack abs led downward to his massive legs, his cock standing out ready to join his body with hers.
With the scent of her sex filling the air, he kissed her legs as he moved up her body, nipping at her stomach before moving to her breasts. Lowering his hips between her legs after rolling on a condom, his dick strained to enter her. Gazing down at the face of this beautiful woman, so unlike any woman he had ever been with, he marveled at how well they fit. “Hey, sweet girl,” he whispered against her smiling lips.
Plunging his straining cock deep inside her in one thrust, he groaned at the sensation of her hot, tight core squeezing him. Her hips moved upwards to meet his as his thrusts became more forceful. With wild abandon, he pumped furiously, as though reaching for a secret place inside of her that he wanted to touch. With that intensity, it did not take long until she was moaning his name, her climax roaring through her.
He pumped until her sex stopped milking him, then he quickly pulled out, much to her dismay. Before she could question him, he flipped her over onto her stomach and grasped her hips to pull them up and back.
“Just lay down on your side,” he said, his hand gently guiding her. Cuddling her from the back, he lifted her top leg as he slid his fingers back through her drenched folds, giving her clit a light pinch. Immediately, she felt her sex clench and moisture pooled again. She gasped and he leaned over her back.
“Is that okay, sweet girl?” he asked, not wanting to make any assumptions.
Moaning in pleasure was the only answer she was able to give, and he chuckled again as he thrust his engorged dick into her waiting core.
This angle brought new sensations and she felt as though her world was tipping on its axis. His fingers gripped her hips, digging in to hold her as he moved slowly at first and then more swiftly.
He held her tightly, one hand on her breast, as his body dove into hers, over and over. Loving the friction inside, she desired to feel the sensations on her clit. Slowly moving her hand down between her legs, she fingered herself.
“Oh, babe. Seeing you touch yourself is gonna make me harder,” he panted, between thrusts.
Sliding her fingers back to her clit, she rubbed and pulled on the swollen nub, feeling her inner core tighten with need.
Wanting her to come again before he did, he tugged gently on her sensitive nipple, eliciting whimpers from her.
“Are you close?” he asked roughly.
“Yes,” she panted. The gripping sensations from her sex sent sparks outward as the pressure began to build, straining until she found her release.
Her inner walls convulsed around his cock as he gave over to his own climax. Head thrown back, thick neck muscles straining, he pulsated into her waiting body, experiencing a release unlike any he had ever felt in his life.
Laying with legs and arms tangled, no words came as their sweaty bodies slowly cooled in the lazy afternoon. At that moment, nothing else mattered—not the distance between their homes or jobs and not the fact that he needed to protect her from harm. He dealt with the condom, eager to not have anything between them again once they were sure her birth control was back in place.
As the lust-filled haze slowly lifted, she cupped his face and, with a grin, asked, “So…Chinese or round two?”
With a loud whoop, Marc opted for round two.