Julia was taken aback. “Wait—you’re a hacker?”
“A damn good one,” Nick piped up.
“I’m working with a friend to crack this,” Eva admitted, “but we keep striking out at every turn. We need to find out who else worked on Project Aries, what the objective was, what this virus actually is.”
“Well, Frank can help us with that last part,” Julia answered. “The man’s a genius.”
“Then it’s settled,” Sebastian said. “The doc and I will head to Boston while you guys stay here and do what you can to shed some light on Project Aries.”
Although Tate didn’t look particularly happy about this latest development, the man didn’t object.
“We’ll need to secure some papers for Julia,” Sebastian added. “How fast can Fernando get them done?”
“Less than twenty-four hours if we email him the photos.” Nick was already scraping back his chair. “I’ll grab the digital camera.”
The next thing Julia knew, she was being ushered inside and forced to pose for several photographs in front of the white wall in the cozy living room of the beach house. Nick even asked her to tie her hair up for some shots, for “authenticity,” whatever that meant. The photo shoot didn’t last long, and when it ended, she drifted outside again and made her way down to the water’s edge.
Tate, Eva and Rafe had disappeared into their bedroom, and Nick had stayed in the living room, hunched over a table laden with laptops and monitors. She’d noticed the computers earlier, as well as the fact that the men were armed at all times. Eva didn’t seem to mind it, but for Julia, it was an obtrusive reminder of the danger they faced. These men had been forced to leave their homes and flee to another continent.
And now she was in the same awful boat.
She hugged her chest, gazing at the silent ocean. A part of her was still in denial about everything. She wasn’t really in jeopardy, right? Those soldiers who’d detained her hadn’t really planned on killing her, had they? But even though she wanted so desperately to believe that this was nothing more than a messed-up misunderstanding, the memory of the clinic being devoured by red-and-orange flames rendered that impossible.
Her colleagues and patients had been murdered.
She would have been murdered if Sebastian Stone hadn’t come to her rescue.
“You’re too damn skinny.”
Speak of the devil. At the sound of Sebastian’s rough voice, Julia turned around.
She watched him approach, her gaze drawn to the rippled six-pack beneath his white T-shirt. His long cargo shorts revealed a pair of muscular legs dusted with golden hair, and as he got closer, she noticed that he still hadn’t shaved. Dark blond stubble coated his powerful jaw, and her fingers itched with the urge to stroke that prickly growth.
Distracted by his sheer sexiness, she tried to remember what he’d just said, then frowned when it sunk in. “It’s hard to find time to eat when I’m working,” she said defensively.
But he was right—the fact that she was nearly drowning in Eva’s dress told her that she’d lost more weight than she’d thought. Eva was definitely packing more curves than Julia in her chest and butt regions, but she was still a slender woman, which meant that Julia was indeed skinnier than she ought to be.
“But if it makes you happy, I’ll eat more,” she said grudgingly.
Sebastian came up beside her, chuckling softly. “Wow, that was easy.”
She edged closer to the waves, her bare toes sinking into the warm, wet sand. Sebastian was also barefoot, and he followed her right into the water, not even complaining when his ankles got splashed.
She bunched up the hem of Eva’s filmy blue dress and brought it up to her thighs so the fabric wouldn’t get wet. The lukewarm water lapped at her shins, the ebb-and-flow motion oddly comforting.
“Eva’s really nice,” she murmured. “I’m surprised she ended up with someone as grumpy as Tate.”
Sebastian laughed. “Me, too.”
“He is sweet to that boy, though,” Julia had to concede. “He loses some of those sharp edges when he’s talking to Rafe.”
“That was another surprise. Tate’s not much of a kid person, but he warmed up to Eva’s son fast.”
“Who’s...” She hesitated.
Sebastian read her mind. “Who’s Rafe’s father?”
She nodded.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
She was instantly struck with curiosity. “Well, now you have to tell me.”
“Hector Cruz.”
Julia’s mouth fell open. “Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack.”
“Eva had a child with the former leader of the United Liberty Fighters?”
“Yes.”
She shook her head a couple of times, trying to make sense of that. Hector Cruz had been at the ULF helm for more than a decade before he was killed in a military raid two months ago. Julia had watched the coverage on the news, and she didn’t remember hearing anything about Cruz leaving behind a son. There hadn’t been mention of a wife or girlfriend either.
But that wasn’t even the perplexing part. After spending an entire evening with Eva Dolce, Julia couldn’t fathom how that intelligent, caring woman had gotten tangled up with a group of revolutionaries.
“Eva was young and idealistic when she met Cruz,” Sebastian said, yet again decoding her thoughts. “It didn’t take long before she realized what a tyrant he was, but by then, she was knocked up and at his mercy.” He shrugged. “She’s been living on the run, too, ever since the kid was born.”
“She must have been relieved when Cruz was killed during that ambush.”
Sebastian’s laugh was long and husky. “She orchestrated the ambush, Doc.”
“I’m confused again. The news reports said that an elite San Marquez military unit located Cruz’s hideout and eliminated him.”
Now he snorted. “Elite is right. Me, Tate and Eva were the ones who infiltrated Cruz’s base camp, and we’re the ones who blew it all to hell.”
“And you killed Cruz?”
“Tate did.”
When she winced, Sebastian’s gray eyes softened. “Don’t look at me like that, Doc. Remember what I said in Esperanza?”
She swallowed. “Kill or be killed.”
“Exactly.” He released a breath. “This is a dangerous world we live in. It’s inhabited by a lot of greedy, selfish, sadistic people who will trample over you to achieve their goals. Cruz stole from the people he claimed to be protecting. He and his men murdered and raped and pillaged, and he would’ve killed Tate if Tate hadn’t killed him first. Same with those guards standing outside your tent—who do you think would’ve pulled the trigger when the general gave the order for you to die? Those men, Julia.”
“I know.” She spoke in a tortured whisper. “But it’s difficult for me to think in those terms. I took an oath to save lives, not take them.”
“You’re saving your own life. That’s equally important.”
“I guess.”
She moved away from the water and let the flowing skirt fall down her legs. Sand clung to her wet feet, but she didn’t bend over to brush it off just yet. She wasn’t ready to go in, and apparently Sebastian was in no hurry either.
As she fixed her gaze on the waves again, she became aware of how just how close they were standing. His muscular arm brushed her shoulder, and that appealing woodsy scent filled her nostrils and made her light-headed. She couldn’t help but remember their flirty exchange at the clinic, how badly she’d wanted to kiss him. So much had changed in such a short amount of time, and yet one thing hadn’t changed at all: she still wanted to kiss him.
No matter how inappropriate it might be, no matter how much her heart ached at the moment, she still wanted to discover what Sebastian Stone’s lips would feel like pressed against her own.
So find out.
Julia wasn’t sure if it was confidence or insanity that fueled her next move, but either wa
y, grabbing Sebastian by his collar and bringing his head down for an impulsive kiss was completely out of character for her.
She felt his big body stiffen for a moment, but he recovered quickly, returning the kiss with such passion she nearly keeled over. Her knees wobbled, pulse raced, palms dampened. Sebastian’s lips were firm, his mouth warm as he slanted it over hers and deepened the kiss.
When his tongue slid into her mouth in one sensual glide, she was helpless to stop him. The skill with which he kissed her stole the breath from her lungs. He licked, swirled, explored, his mouth hot and insistent as it met hers in blistering kisses that made her entire body burn with uncontrollable arousal.
As her hands came up to rest on his broad shoulders, his slid down to stroke the small of her back. They were both breathing hard, panting each time they broke apart for air, groaning each time their mouths reconnected.
She’d never felt this way before. Hot, needy, desperate. She bit Sebastian’s lower lip, then sucked on it, eliciting a growl from deep in his chest.
“Holy hell, baby, that’s hot,” he muttered, and then he did the same damn thing to her, making her moan with abandon.
She had no clue how long they stood there, bare feet sinking in the sand, arms wrapped around each other, mouths and tongues dueling, but when they finally pulled apart again, her lips were swollen and her hair was a tangled mess from Sebastian’s fingers running through it.
“I... Wow.” She gulped, then sucked in a steadying breath. “I don’t know what came over me.”
His gray eyes smoldered with residual passion. “I’m not complaining.”
Julia offered a faint smile. “So...what now?”
She wasn’t sure what she’d expected him to say. Maybe “now we make out some more.” Or maybe “now I take you inside and rock your world.” She would’ve been just fine with any response, really.
Except the one he gave her.
“Now we pretend that didn’t happen.” All the humor had left his eyes, and now his expression was somber.
She raised her brows. “Are you joking?”
Sebastian shook his head. “We can’t sleep together, Julia. Especially tonight. You watched the clinic burn to the ground yesterday, for chrissake, and we’ve been on the move ever since. You’re afraid and upset and the adrenaline high is still—”
“Oh, for the love of God,” she interrupted. “Would you quit telling me how I’m feeling? Why do men always do that?”
“You’re telling me you’re not upset, then?”
“No, of course I’m upset,” she said irritably. “But you know what would make me less upset? Some forget-your-problems sex.”
Another glimmer of heat flared in his gray eyes, but it burned out fast. “Maybe so, but it’s still not a good idea, Doc. Right now I can’t focus on anything other than getting out of this mess. I’m tired of hiding out, I’m tired of looking over my shoulder. I want this situation over and done with, and until that happens, I can’t get involved with anyone.”
A sigh slipped out of her throat. Crap. How was she supposed to fault him for that? She’d been running for only one day. He’d been doing it for months and months. Of course he had more urgent concerns at the moment than sex.
“I understand,” she said quietly.
Relief flooded his handsome face. “Thank you. And look... You’re a beautiful woman, Doc. I’m attracted to you, no denying that. But—” He shrugged awkwardly before taking a step away. “Sex just isn’t on my mind right now. It’s not a priority.” Another step. “Anyway, let’s go inside. I want to see if Nick heard from our contact.”
With a nod, Julia trailed after him, happy he couldn’t see her face because she knew she was blushing from embarrassment, not to mention the lingering desire coursing through her blood.
Now we pretend that didn’t happen.
Ha. Fat chance, she thought as she followed Sebastian back to the house.
Chapter 8
At noon the next day, Sebastian, Julia and Nick left the beach house and drove to a small town two hours north of the coast to pick up identification papers for Julia. The men’s contact had shipped the documents to a UPS office that seemed bizarrely out of place in the one-horse town of Poca Colina, which translated to “little hill.” Now, as Sebastian tore open the envelope and studied their man’s handiwork, he couldn’t help but be impressed.
“Fernando did good,” he remarked before extending the American passport, Massachusetts driver’s license and birth certificate in Julia’s direction.
Their fingers brushed, and his groin instantly tightened at the feel of her warm, delicate fingers. He hadn’t been able to look her in the eye all morning, and in the rare instances when their gazes had connected, he’d been barraged with the memory of last night’s makeout session. Christ, those kisses. He couldn’t remember the last time his body had burned so hot, the last time his heart had pounded that hard.
In that moment, he’d needed Julia Davenport more than he’d needed his next breath. He’d been ready to rip that dress off her slender body, throw her down on the sand and screw her until they both couldn’t move for days.
But he’d restrained himself at the last second, miraculously finding the strength to not only end that explosive kiss, but to make it clear that he couldn’t get involved with her.
He’d lied to her, though, when he’d told her that sex wasn’t on his mind. Yeah freaking right. Sex had been on his mind from the moment he’d met Julia at the clinic in Valero. The only problem was, she didn’t seem like the type who’d be interested in a casual affair. When she’d told him about the cowboy she’d met on spring break, she’d claimed to be open to a no-strings affair, but he was still hesitant to take her up on the offer. You didn’t mess around with women like Julia—smart, kind, respectable. She deserved more than a fling, but unfortunately, that was all he’d ever be able to give her.
“These are flawless.” Julia’s amazed voice broke through his thoughts. She was examining the documents he’d just handed her. “I’m afraid to ask how much it cost.”
“Don’t worry, we can afford it,” Nick answered with a shrug.
The shrewd glint in her hazel eyes said she wanted to know more, but Nick didn’t give her the chance to question him. He moved away from the plate-glass window of the courier office and strode toward the Jeep.
“Are we going to the airport now?” Julia asked.
“Yep.” Sebastian checked his watch. “Our flight leaves in an hour.”
“I’m surprised you’re okay with this. I mean, you haven’t been back on American soil since the attempts on your life. I know you’re traveling under a different name, but aren’t you afraid someone will recognize you at the airport?”
He burst out laughing. “Wait, do you think we’re flying commercial?”
Her brows puckered. “Aren’t we?”
“Hey, Nick, the doc thinks we’re flying commercial,” he told his fellow soldier.
Nick laughed. “Come on, Davenport, you’re not that naive, are ya?” he said good-naturedly.
Her cheeks turned an appealing shade of pink. “I didn’t think I was, but hell, I guess I am,” she muttered.
Still chuckling, Sebastian waited until Julia hopped into the back of the Jeep before he slid into the passenger seat.
“We’re catching a ride with a cargo jet at a private airfield,” he explained as Nick started the engine and pulled away from the dusty sidewalk. “It’ll take us all the way to upstate New York. After that, we’ll rent a car and make our way to Cambridge.”
Julia accepted their itinerary without a single protest, which he appreciated. He was discovering that absolutely nothing fazed the woman. She took everything in stride, and though she had no problem speaking her mind, she was also quick to follow orders. She trusted him to make decisions, so long as they were directly related to her safety, and he appreciated that above all else.
And yet the irony of it didn’t escape him, because he was the las
t person she ought to be trusting with her life.
The airfield wasn’t far from Poca Colina. They’d dealt with the man in charge only twice, once when Nick went to investigate a cholera outbreak in San Marquez, another time when Tate needed to rendezvous with one of their many contacts. The members of the spec ops community looked out for one another. Weapons, ammo, papers, transport, information—it was only a phone call away, no questions asked.
Nick followed the red dirt path toward a large metal gate. The runways in the distance were actually paved, a drastic difference from previous airfields they’d utilized. The airstrip housed three large hangars, and the selection of planes littering the tarmac was quite impressive. Mostly twin-engine Cessnas, but Sebastian also spotted a Boeing cargo aircraft that seemed out of place in such primitive surroundings.
Driving toward the area near the main hangar, Nick put the Jeep in Park and said, “Make sure you check in the second you get stateside, Seb.”
“Will do.” He hopped out of the vehicle, helped Julia out, then grabbed his go bag from the back.
“It was nice meeting you.” Julia offered Nick a warm, albeit wry, smile. “I wish it had been under different circumstances, though.”
“Me, too, Doc. Me, too.” Nick lifted his hand in a quick wave. “Be safe, guys.”
A minute later, the Jeep was going out the way it came in, leaving Sebastian and Julia alone for the first time all day.
She was wearing her jeans again, as well as that white tank top that had been responsible for keeping him awake half the night. Every time he’d closed his eyes he’d pictured that see-through fabric...Julia’s small, puckered nipples poking right through her paper-thin white bra....
His mouth watered just thinking about it, and he had to wrench his eyes away. “C’mon, our pilot’s waiting.”
They walked through the open door of the hangar. As Sebastian’s boots thudded against the waxed floor, several men in dark blue jumpsuits glanced over suspiciously.
“I’m looking for Ricardo,” he called, his voice bouncing off the hangar walls.