Need roared through her, more powerful than any shot of whiskey. “Nate—” she groaned, reaching for him.
“No.” He licked his way up her thighs, nipping softly but with enough bite to still her.
Yearning beyond reality filled her, and she dug her nails into his shoulders, finally within reach.
“Careful, baby. I scratch back.” The next bite to her inner thigh held an erotic warning.
Her abdomen spasmed.
He chuckled and licked her slit. “We didn’t have enough time together, Aud.” He inserted one finger in her and twisted.
Electricity rippled up her spine, and she arched her back. It was as if he felt inside her skin and knew exactly how to touch her. He kissed her gently, the stubble from his strong jaw burning a path across her thighs. Tempting her. Marking her.
She looked down her body as he lifted his head, his expression free for once. Hungry. A wicked smile quirked his full lips, and he dropped back down, his shoulders settling in, spreading her thighs wider.
As if fully in tune with her, his hand moved up and repositioned her left leg so it didn’t cramp.
Her heart opened completely. She couldn’t help it.
With pinpoint accuracy, his tongue lashed her clit.
She hissed and arched against him, an electrical zap circuiting from his tongue to her nipples. They ached, so full and ready. He licked her clit again and slipped another finger inside her. Playing. Seeking. Twisting.
His fingers and his tongue set up a rhythm that had her swelling, aching, unwinding. Her body moved of its own volition, moving against him. The tension wound so tightly inside her she tried to still herself. “No.” She gasped. “Not yet.”
He chuckled around her clit.
The vibrations wound everything even tighter. So incredibly tight. Her eyes rolled back as she fought the energy coiling inside her. “Not. Yet,” she hissed through clenched teeth. It all felt too good… She had to hold on to the good.
He rubbed his whiskers against her thighs, the slight bite nearly pushing her over the edge. “Ah, baby,” he rumbled against her clit, “you’ll come when I say.” One slow swipe of his tongue stopped time. “I say… now.” He sucked her entire clit into his mouth, crisscrossing his fingers along her G-spot.
Everything in her, the wicked and the good, the soft and the hard, the past and the present, all exploded into a blazing-white hotness that poured through her in heat and fire. She arched into his mouth, crying out his name, her entire being undulating. Her mind went blank as her body detonated. Lost in a world of sensation, she finally whimpered her final bit of tension.
He released her, one hand flattening across her abdomen as little aftershocks took her. He kissed her abdomen. “Beautiful.” Moving up, his body covered hers, his mouth sliding against hers. “You’re okay, Aud.”
She’d never be the same. Sliding her arms around his broad back, she opened her legs wider to accommodate him. “Please, Nate. Just, please.” She had no defenses and didn’t feel the need to find some. This was Nate, and it had to be everything between them.
He nodded, gentle understanding filling his eyes. Quick movements had him rolling on a condom.
One thumb rubbed against her cheekbone in such a tender touch she barely felt it. As if he understood fully, he pressed his forehead against hers and slowly penetrated her. Inch by swollen inch, he moved with complete control as her body accepted his. He was so big he filled all of her and then some. Even after the incredible orgasm, only now did she feel filled. Complete. The words from her heart hovered on her tongue, but she bit them back.
His broad shoulders vibrated as he held himself in check. “Is your leg all right?”
That quickly, with the simple question, he ripped out what was left of her heart. He’d always owned it, but she’d fooled herself into believing she’d kept a small part for herself. “Yes. I’m perfect.” Tilting her hips, she brought him even deeper inside her. If possible, she’d keep him there forever.
Unfortunately they didn’t have forever.
But as he slid out and back in, her dreams took over. So she did the only thing in her power and opened herself completely to him. He began to thrust harder, faster, his body taking hers. She skimmed her fingers down his flanks, caressing a truly fine ass. He groaned and pounded, staying careful of her bad leg.
“Faster,” she murmured.
Unbelievably, everything inside her began to coil again. To spiral into a coil of need that tightened so hard it hurt. Her nails bit into his flesh, and she met him thrust for thrust. How was this possible?
He thrust hard, angling over her clit, and she detonated. Flew through the air, fire consuming her, waves pummeling her as she held on to him with everything she had. With one hard push, he stayed inside her, his body convulsing as he came. Slowly, they both stopped moving.
Lifting up, his eyes darkened with emotion. He leaned down and kissed her so gently tears sprang to her eyes.
What now?
Chapter 15
Nate settled Audrey more securely against him, keeping his weapon in sight. Peace threatened to dull his senses. In the aftermath of the passionate storm, with Audrey sleeping in complete trust against him, he allowed himself to relax.
She murmured and cuddled closer, her hand curling on top of his chest. Her warmth and soft skin offered comfort he wasn’t strong enough to turn away from. The defenselessness of her position made him want to tuck her close forever, but he couldn’t do that, even if she’d allow it. In three weeks, he’d probably be dead, and she’d have to pick up the pieces again. Why do that to her?
The constant tension always riding his body finally calmed. She was the only person in the world who’d ever been able to bring him peace. For that alone he’d love her forever.
Add in her courage, incredible intelligence, and the inherent kindness she’d had to bury, and Audrey Madison was a miracle.
Just not his. The truth of that carved a hole in his chest more painful than any injury he’d ever sustained.
He needed to stop pretending and living in the moment or they were both going to die even before the chips exploded. How loud had they been? The music had played, and surely the commander’s men didn’t have Nate’s hearing. Even so. For a precious few moments, Nate had forgotten about the threat outside. That couldn’t happen again.
Checking in outside, he listened for the heartbeats of the three men, scrubbing out all other sounds. They were still out there but not moving. Good.
Nate could afford to sleep for a brief time. He allowed himself to drop off, somehow not surprised in the least to have the one dream he had more often than any other—the day he’d met Audrey.
The sun was strong, the smell of dirt stronger, and he’d had no clue his world was about to change. The first time he met her, he had blood on his face. The training exercise had been brutal that morning; he’d been brutal. He was tired of training, tired of killing. Most of all, he was tired of being controlled by the people who had made him. But he knew the rules. If one of them failed to return from a mission, they all died. He had three brothers, and he’d die for every single one of them. He killed for them now. But a change was coming, and he held on to that hope.
“Hi,” she said as she stood in the sun next to the dark doorway, the red highlights in her black hair absurdly out of place on the outskirts of the dismal training field.
He took the towel she offered and tried to wipe off the blood. She looked to be about nineteen, younger than him, and innocence shone bright in her eyes. That wasn’t a place for innocence.
One look, and he could tell she was far different from the women who had shaped them in the last ten years; they were hard, cynical, and had taught them more than anyone should know about interrogation, sexual and otherwise. He had learned a long time ago that softness was an illusion.
“Are you Nathan?” she asked.
“Yes.” He growled it, uneasy as hell with her.
“I’m Audrey.”
She held out a small hand for him to shake.
He shook her hand, feeling the fragile bones tremble slightly in his. She was afraid of him, but her gaze remained calm and direct. Admiration welled through him.
“You’re supposed to train me,” she said.
“In what?” The thoughts of some of the ways he might train her ran unwelcomed through his head. Beautiful and delicate, the woman drew him to her. Big blue eyes set in an oval face with ivory skin tempted him, while she barely reached his shoulder in height.
“Basic hand-to-hand”—she gave a self-depreciating shrug—“just in case.”
“In case of what?” He could break her in two with minimal effort, and there wasn’t enough time in the universe to protect her from somebody with his kind of training. Besides, why would anybody want to hurt such a sweet little thing?
“I don’t really know.”
“Who would bring you here?” The question surprised him even as he asked it. Whoever had brought her into hell should be shot. Twice.
She sighed. Her gaze darted to the ground, away from him, while her shoulders hunched forward in defense. “I guess you’re going to find out anyway.”
“Find out what?” He reached out and placed a knuckle under her chin to lift her gaze back to his. Her pretty eyes held more warmth than he’d ever seen, and he wasn’t ready to relinquish the heat.
He was surprised by the sheen of tears in their blue depths as well as the shamed flush that stole across her pale skin. He suddenly wanted to defend her against whoever had brought that look onto her face.
“My mother brought me here,” she said.
He didn’t understand.
Audrey sighed again and tried to tug her face away from his hold. Although he knew better, he kept her in place.
She stopped struggling and met his eyes directly. “My mother is Dr. Madison.”
He dropped his hand, and his shoulders went back. Shock and anger tightened his muscles.
“I know.” Pain and regret filled Audrey’s voice. “I have some understanding of the experiments she’s conducted on you because of the commander, and I’m sorry. So sorry that they hurt you.”
He stared at the top of her head, shining so brightly in the sun. Confusion made him blink. He hated the sociopathic psychologist with every fiber in his being and had since she’d forced him into the training field with the three older Brown boys. Nate had held his own, but he’d still ended up with several broken ribs, a broken femur, and a cracked wrist.
He hadn’t healed by the time Matt had returned, and Matt had gone berserk, ending up in the brig for two weeks after going after the Brown brothers. Christmas had rocked, though. It was the best memory the brothers had, and neither Nate nor Matt regretted it.
Years later, Nate wanted Dr. Madison dead nearly as much as he wanted to see the commander bleeding out over the packed earth of the training field.
“I’m sorry.” Audrey’s voice remained muffled as she scuffed one small shoe in the ground.
Nate brushed aside anger and opened his senses, studying her closely. His odd gift of being able to discern a falsehood assured him she told the truth. The poor girl really was sorry and actually felt shame.
Now she needed his assistance.
His heart warmed as the wish to help her roared through him. They shared an enemy, now, didn’t they?
He snaked out a hand, tangling his fingers in her silky tresses. Desire unfurled through his gut. They needed to understand each other, so a quick twist of his wrist jerked her head back to meet his gaze. “If you’re playing me, you’ll regret it.”
“I know.” Her easy acceptance bothered him more than it should have. Then she smiled, and he forgot how to breathe.
Years, scars, and pain later, Nathan awoke to a slight drumming of rain on the window and a sleeping woman curled into his side.
Slipping out of the bed, he secured his gun to go check on the threat. He turned back to study the only woman he’d ever loved, the one he’d have to let go in order to save his brothers. For the first time in five years, he wondered if he could do it.
* * *
After scouting outside the building for almost an hour, Nate stepped back into the apartment, smiling at the scent of cooking eggs. “Morning,” he said as he stalked into the kitchen.
Audrey jumped and flipped around, a spatula in her hand. “Where did you go?”
“I wanted to check on the men watching you. They’re not bad.” Not that great, either. No wonder the commander wanted the Gray brothers back so badly. “Why are you up so early?”
She expertly tossed the eggs. “I have an early press conference.”
About that. “I’d like you to call in sick and maybe take a vacation.” If he got her to safety, he could better concentrate on killing the commander and decimating the entire organization.
“No.” Audrey slid eggs onto two plates and added a toasted bagel to each. She handed them to him. “Table.”
He followed the order, slid the plates on place mats, and turned to face her. “Why not?”
She moved back to the stove. “Because I have work to do.”
He rubbed his chin, his instincts humming. “Turn around, Audrey.”
Her heart rate increased, so he tuned in to her breathing. Slow, calm, purposeful breaths. What in the world was she hiding? “Now.”
She turned, her face placid. “What?”
Slowly, flexing his biceps, he crossed his arms and studied her.
She tilted her head to the side, sliding on a curious expression. “Nate?”
Oh, she was good. But he was better. So he remained silent, keeping his expression closed and his eyes hard.
She blinked but kept his gaze.
He purposefully didn’t move. An inch.
A pretty pink flared at her chest and wound up her neck to cover her face. The blush had to burn, but she didn’t turn away.
Admiration melded with irritation. He’d been trained by the best, and he’d spent too many moments interrogating people and figuring how to break them. He wouldn’t break Audrey, but he’d get her to talk.
She rolled her eyes. “Is this really necessary?”
He knew she’d talk first. So he stayed silent.
Her fine eyebrows drew down. “Fine,” she huffed, slamming the spatula onto the stove and beginning a lovely storm from the room.
He took a step sideways to block the exit.
She halted, her breath catching. Then she lifted her head, sparks glinting from stunning eyes. “Get out of my way, or I swear, I’ll shove your balls through the roof of your mouth.”
Yeah. He loved her spunk. Slowly, he lifted one eyebrow.
Fire burst across her face. “What the heck do you want?”
“The truth.”
She backed away, her gaze darting away. “About what?”
He waited until she focused back on him. “On why you can’t leave. What’s really going on?” His mind spun different scenarios, and nothing made sense. Except—“Why are you really working for the commander?” She could find another way to be close to her mother without working for evil. Audrey would never work for evil.
She swallowed. “I told you why.”
“You lied.”
She took another step back. “How dare you.” Her voice lacked any conviction.
What was going on? “You’re not leaving the kitchen until you tell me the truth.”
Defiance lifted her chin. “You want the truth? Fine. I’m working with the senator to close down the commander’s organization and put the bastard in prison.”
Everything in Nate stilled. “Excuse me?”
Audrey hissed out air. “He needs to be held accountable, and you can’t do it. Sorry, but I’m in the position to do it, and you need to get out of the way.”
Oh, hell no. “The senator knows?”
“Yes.” She put both hands on her hips. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything, but I wasn’t sure how to say it, and I knew you wouldn?
??t want my help. And I couldn’t tell you about the senator, because you’d be pissed, and I couldn’t tell him about you, because I wouldn’t do that to you.”
The long string of words made his head ache, and a tension began to coil in his gut. This wasn’t going to be good. “What are you talking about?”
“The senator and I have ulterior motives in working with the commander. We’re going to find out all about the current organization, and then we’re going to expose him.” She belted her robe tight, determination tightening her jaw.
Nate’s mouth went dry. “Expose him? You can’t expose him.” Letting the world know about the experiments, about Nate’s brothers, would be a disaster. “He has to be killed.”
“No. The man deserves prison—forever. Trust me, we’ll bury any information about you or any other soldiers. Darn it. I have to get ready.” Audrey limped toward the bedroom.
He stood and manacled a hand around her arm. “Ah, darlin’, you’re not going anywhere.”
She blinked, her gaze sparking to his. “Excuse me?”
He walked her backward to sit, every muscle he had turning to rock. “Start at the beginning.” Sheer determination kept his voice gentle when all he wanted to do was bellow. But as he eyed her, sitting so small and defenseless next to her scrambled eggs, her midnight-hair a mess from his hands, her lips a well-kissed red, something in him awakened. Something dark and dangerous, something undeniably male raging with the urge to protect and defend. Whether he liked it or not.
She rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I knew I shouldn’t tell you.” Creamy flesh beckoned when the neck of her robe opened.
His gaze dropped, and he mentally shoved down interest. “Too late. Spill it.”
The plan she detailed made his blood slow down and go cold. It was crazy. They planned to trick the commander into giving up all intel, and then they planned to have him arrested and incarcerated.