Chapter 6
—Sometimes the wrong choices bring us to the right places.—
Axel glanced over at Hadley who was dozing on his couch. She’d dropped off a couple hours ago close to the end of the movie and he hadn’t wanted to wake her. Her falling asleep had actually worked in his favor since he was hoping that she would just stay the night in the guest room if she woke up. It was a perfect excuse not to take her home. Obviously he would if she wanted to, but keeping her here would keep him sane—and her safe.
He might actually get a few hours of sleep since he wouldn’t be constantly monitoring the cameras outside her place.
At that thought he looked back down at his laptop. He’d been working quietly on the other couch since she’d fallen asleep. After draping a blanket over her, he’d dimmed all the lights and could now focus on her cameras, plus the ones he’d set up at his rental condo, and monitor for any incoming info from Isaac.
He finished fast-forwarding through another one of the camera feeds outside her house. Nothing out of the ordinary, just as the last one had been fine. Then he started on the next one. Again nothing strange. Just random animals, because he’d set the sensitivity level of the cameras too high. So it was picking up all movement, including raccoons.
Pressing pause, his gaze strayed to her again even though he told himself not to want her, not to watch her. She was definitely not the type of woman for him.
But now that he’d gotten a taste of her, he was pretty certain he was screwed. Because she was everything he’d never known he wanted. God, she was going to hate him when he told her what he did for a living. Who he was. He just couldn’t see a way around not telling her.
When an incoming message softly pinged, he pulled a new screen up. It was from his contact.
Got some movement at the marina, two individuals are checking out the car you ditched there. Watching them from the local camera.
Axel stilled at that message. That could mean any number of things. It could just be someone looking to steal it. He had left the keys in the ignition, after all. He’d wiped it down and if someone stole it, even better for him. There’d be so much DNA inside it that it would never be linked back to him. He’d thought about burning it, but ditching it had been easier given the location. And less likely to draw attention to it for a while. He hadn’t wanted to return and grab it, putting himself at more risk. Because of the short nature of this job, he hadn’t realized there was a camera on site. He’d found out about it afterward and was glad there was only one. Instead of tampering with it or removing it, he’d asked Isaac to hack into it and monitor it—for a fee, of course. The man didn’t work for free.
Fingers moving quickly across the keyboard, he typed back, Teenagers looking to steal it?
The response was almost immediate. No. They move like pros. Checking every inch of the car. It even looks as if they’re dusting it for fingerprints.
Yeah, good luck with that. He’d worn gloves and had been sure to have everything wiped down even before he’d grabbed the asshole who’d tried to take Hadley.
But he didn’t like that someone was checking out his vehicle. It could mean he’d been spotted leaving the college, which was a possibility even though he’d been careful and had worn a hat, gloves and kept his ears covered. The beard had helped too. But this might mean that one of the kidnappers looking for Hadley was working with someone.
From the information he had on the other two men who’d been hired, it didn’t seem plausible. He typed back, What do they look like?
I can’t get a good visual—faces are covered by hats, and what are probably wigs covering their ears—and I’m 99% sure someone else is currently hacked into the camera system as well.
Well that was interesting. And not the kind of interesting that he liked. At least he didn’t have anything to worry about as far as the body. He’d disposed of it well. And he hadn’t returned to the marina, instead docking the boat elsewhere.
Send me any information including video footage. It was doubtful he’d recognize anyone disguised but it didn’t hurt to watch it.
It’ll cost you.
Yeah, no shit. Instead of typing what he thought, he simply said Bill me.
Any amount of money was worth keeping Hadley safe. But now it appeared as if things had gotten more complicated. He needed to get her somewhere more secure and he needed to tell her what was going on. Hell, he needed to tell her brother too. But…one more day with her. That was all he wanted. Maybe keeping her safe would balance his karma scale. Nah. He doubted it. He’d still protect her though.
As if she knew he was thinking about her, Hadley’s eyes opened and she gave him a soft smile. Confusion flickered across her features as she sat up and looked around. Her dark hair was a little mussed and her dark eyes were sleepy. Yawning, she pushed the blanket down. “Did I miss the end of the movie?” Her voice was slightly raspy and sexy as hell.
“Yeah, it ended a few hours ago.”
Her eyes widened. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s no worries. Since it’s late do you just want to stay in the guest room? It’s nice.” The whole place was, in fact. It was secure enough and had a state-of-the-art security system. He lifted a shoulder as if it didn’t matter to him when he really wanted her to stay put.
“Are you sure?” She seemed to hesitate.
“Yeah, I’d rather you stay here than get on the road this late. But whatever you want to do.” Please stay.
“Do you have something I can wear?”
“Yeah. Everything I own will be too big but fine for sleeping in. Do you have plans tomorrow? I’ll make sure you get home as early as you need.” But he’d have to tell her the truth before he did that. There was no way around it. Because she needed to know, to be able to watch out for herself. Just…a few more hours with her. She could rest easy at least one night without the knowledge that someone wanted to kidnap her. Use her as leverage.
“I’d just planned to head out to my family’s ranch and go horseback riding. With school being on break I’m taking advantage of the downtime.”
Good. That should give him some time to contact Brooks and hopefully hunt down another one of the men sent after her once Axel knew she was safe with her brother.
“Do you want to come with me?” she asked, surprising him.
Or…he could do that. “I’d love to,” he found himself saying. He would stay with her at the ranch, just to keep her safe. And then he’d tell her the truth.
He was so full of it he couldn’t buy his own bullshit. Yeah, he’d be keeping her safe, but he was a selfish bastard for not telling her the truth right now. If he thought there was a chance she’d be harmed here or at her family’s ranch then he’d tell her but…
He rolled his shoulders once and closed his laptop. “Let me grab you something.”
Digging around in his suitcase he pulled out a plain T-shirt that would come at least to her mid-thigh and a pair of sweats she would have to roll over at the waist to keep up. He preferred to sleep naked at home but when he was on a job he wore clothes in case he was woken up by a threat.
God, his life was lonely. And she was this bright spot he was soon going to lose. Because in the reality he lived in, no way did they end up together.
When he returned to the living room, he found her folding the blanket and setting it neatly on the back of the couch. “I really don’t mind going home. I feel as if I’m imposing.”
“Trust me, you’re not imposing.” He just wished she’d be sleeping in his bed. But if that was going to happen, she needed to know who he was first.
Although then everything would be a moot point because he was certain she’d want nothing to do with him.
Her smile was soft and sweet. “Okay, then. Is that for me?” She nodded at the bundle of clothes.
“Yeah.” He handed it to her as he showed her to the short hallway. The place was spacious but not so big she could get lost. “This is the extra bedroom.” It had clearly been professionally decorated in a coastal theme. The kind of place that people traveling on business or for vacation would love to stay at. Not that any of that stuff mattered to him. But he was glad she seemed to like it.
“I’ll just be a couple minutes.” She looked indecisive, as if she wanted to say something more but changed her mind at the last second because she ducked into the room and shut the door behind her.
For a moment, he leaned his forehead against the door and tried not to fantasize about her undressing inside, putting on his clothes. Tried and failed. Because he really liked the thought of her wearing his stuff, being covered in his scent. Which was beyond primitive but…he didn’t care.
Sighing, he stepped back and leaned against the wall in the hallway. He’d just tell her goodnight then put some distance between them. Yep, that was the plan.
Because he needed distance if he wanted to stay sane. Especially after that kiss they’d shared. She’d been so sweet and teasing and all he’d wanted to do was roll the two of them to the floor and thrust inside her until they were both sated.
Less than a minute later she opened the door wearing his much too big shirt and… No. Pants. She looked surprised to see him waiting. Shit, maybe he shouldn’t have? Damn it, he was in new territory here. This wasn’t a typical first date, he knew that much.
“Hey, I just wanted to see if you had face wash or something? If you don’t, it’s not a big deal.”
Axel forced himself not to look any lower, not to get a peek of her legs and all that bare skin. That was made easier when she stepped forward before he could even answer, raw lust in her gaze.
Swallowing hard, he shuddered as she pressed up against him, her hands settling on his shoulders. Before he realized it he’d moved, backing her up against the closest wall without actually touching her. His palms were flat against the wall as he looked down at her, caging her in even as he tried to order his feet to back up, to give her space.
Just walk away. And get her face wash or whatever she’d wanted.
But when she slid her hands over his chest, his entire body froze. He still didn’t touch her though. Just curled his fingers against the wall. He could only watch as she slowly slid a hand down his covered chest, lower, lower…oh fuck. What was she doing? He hadn’t remotely expected this.
Her dark eyes went heavy-lidded as she rubbed a hand over his erection. His cock ached, and he was desperate to feel her touching him, stroking him skin to skin.
“Can I?” she whispered, her own breathing harsh and out of control as she teased her fingers over him.
He let out a strangled sound that was supposed to be a yes. Thankfully she understood because, grinning wickedly, she unfastened his pants, shoved them down and…fuuuuuuck.
Feeling like an inexperienced teenager, he felt his balls pull up tight as she fisted his cock with her smooth palm. Yep, this was heaven. And he was about to die. What a way to go.
She wrapped her fingers around him and began stroking, slowly at first. All he could do was stare at her, his heart nearly seizing in his chest as she stroked up and down, over and over.
He hadn’t remotely expected this. Fantasized about it? Yeah.
Her own breathing was harsh as she looked up at him. He arched slightly off the wall as she continued torturing him. He wanted to touch her everywhere and went to move but she just grinned, showing off that adorable dimple.
“No touching me,” she whispered, her grip tightening.
That was…insanely hot. “Gotta kiss you.”
“Okay.” She’d barely got the word out when he crushed his mouth over hers, his need to taste her overwhelming.
He might not be able to touch her everywhere he wanted but this he could do. Her taste was sweet as he dominated her mouth, hungry to consume all of her. This sexy, surprising woman who’d taken him off guard tonight.
He hadn’t expected this boldness from her and he really, really liked it.
He’d never been so turned on in his life as he was right now. With her in his shirt, covered in his scent…he wanted to cover her in his come. Which felt raw, primal and kinda fucked up but he didn’t care. He needed to mark this woman even if she could never be his. Even as he had the thoughts he cursed himself.
And started coming. There was no controlling it, not when she was pumping him with a perfect rhythm with her perfect hand. God, everything about her was perfect. As if she’d been made just for him. Which was stupid but… Pulling back, he groaned out her name as he came even harder in long jets against her hand and his stomach. His climax seemed to go on forever and for once, he had no damn control.
Shuddering as he finally came down from his high, he looked into her dark eyes, completely captivated. Yep, she owned him already, no doubt about it.
And he desperately wanted to give to her what she’d just given to him, to tease every inch of her body with his mouth and hands. God, he wished he had six hands right now. When he grasped the edge of her long shirt, ready to lift it over her head, she surprised him and placed her smaller hands over his.
“I’m not ready for more tonight.” She almost looked apologetic, which stunned him.
He wanted to get on his knees and worship her pussy but if she didn’t want more right now, that was okay too. This wasn’t over though, not by a long shot. “Okay.”
“Okay?” She seemed surprised.
“I want to taste you coming against my tongue but yeah, okay.” He sure wasn’t going to pressure her even if he felt selfish for being the only one to receive pleasure tonight. It made him feel off-balance and even more desperate to taste her. “We’ll wait until you’re ready.” He cleared his throat. “I’m going to clean up but…do you want to stay in my bed tonight?”
She nodded, her cheeks pink. And just like that he started to get hard again. Axel had a feeling that was going to be a perpetual problem around her.
* * *
Skye stepped back from the abandoned car, frustrated that she and Colt had found nothing. Nothing they could use anyway. And they’d come prepared to search the vehicle. They’d done a luminol test in the trunk and there was blood visible with a black light, and if she was a betting woman she’d guess it was from the guy who’d attacked Hadley.
So no sleep lost there.
But they hadn’t found any damn fingerprints. Which was flat-out wrong. So what the heck was going on? She couldn’t wrap her mind around it. Someone attacked Hadley and then someone else incapacitated the attacker. But then what, he’d killed the attacker? Disposed of the body? Why? Who was this other man? Why had he helped Hadley?
“Let’s see if we can get some of the blood and do a test on it,” Colt said quietly as he glanced around.
The marina was out of the way, not one of the major ones in Redemption Harbor. It was quiet, which was no surprise since it was two in the morning. As far as she knew no one lived in any of the boats here. If they did, no one was moving around.
She and her husband were in disguise regardless. Nodding, she let her husband do his thing, cutting a couple swatches of the rug from the back of the trunk.
Once they were back in one of their company’s vehicles—with an untraceable license plate—Colt said, “What’s really going on with you?”
She wasn’t certain what he meant as he steered out of the gravelly parking lot. “How so?”
“You’re more amped up than usual about this. Is it because we don’t have a job?”
They weren’t in a lull exactly as far as work was concerned but everyone was busy with something at the moment and they didn’t have anything pressing they needed to deal with. Which, as a former spy, she completely understood. There wasn’t always going to be action, action, action. She definitely knew that more than most. In her downtime, she simply exercised a whole lot and cleaned her weapons. A lot of that had to do with her ADHD. She needed to keep busy and stay focused on something. It was also what made her so damn good at her job.
“I’m just worried about Hadley, that’s all,” she finally said.
Colt snorted softly. “Lie to yourself, don’t lie to me.”
She let out a sigh. The man always saw through her and had right from the start. “Fine. I don’t know how to say it exactly. Before you, before us, and all of this, I never had people to worry about. Not really. And doing the job was easy.”
Because helping strangers was easy, at least for her. And part of it was selfish. Doing the right thing made her feel good and she liked protecting people. That deep-seated need was embedded in her DNA, she guessed. She had this drive to simply make things better. If it was part of her DNA, she’d come by it naturally, considering her parents had been spies too.
But now… “I’ve got people I love and care about. A lot of people. It’s weird. Because Hadley, Valencia, Mary Grace, her new baby, they’re so damn innocent and I hate to use the word fragile because that’s wrong, but I want to protect them all the time. And the world is messed up. Anything could happen to them any time of day. And I hate that I can’t stop it.”
Colt reached out and took her hand in his as he pulled up to a stop sign. “I know. I worry about them too.”
“It’s hard to compartmentalize and turn off my brain on the best of days.”
He nodded. “It’s one of the downsides to having so many people in your life. It’s worth it though.” He didn’t phrase it as a question but she got the feeling that he was asking. As if he doubted she was glad about this huge change in their lives in the last couple years.
“Yes, it is definitely worth it. It’s just made me very aware of my mortality and, okay, afraid for my friends.” And she wasn’t used to feeling afraid. She had only ever felt truly afraid when it came to Colt being in danger. Now she had all these people to worry about. It was a new, exhausting experience. She wasn’t sure how anyone had kids, ever. She’d die of exhaustion worrying about them and fighting not to let it show.
He squeezed her hand again and lifted it to his mouth. Then he pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles. “I love you,” he said.
“Right back at you.” Pushing out a breath, she found herself calming. They’d figure out this mystery soon enough.