“Let’s get a move on. I’d like to get back to headquarters by nightfall,” Chase said, looking up to see the beginning of the setting sun.
As the twelve of them headed toward base, Chase and Jack took up the rear.
“Why did you frown when David mentioned Bella’s name?” Chase wanted to know.
“Did I? I didn’t realize. Just that I think this is the same woman Sydney told me about. The coincidence of her and David ending up in the same place is overwhelming.”
“What do you make of the alien, Dar?”
“He seems to be on our side, but he bears watching. The last time I trusted an alien it nearly got me killed.”
“Bella seems to trust him, and he did bring her back here. If this is Sydney’s Bella, then she can tell us how she ended up in her predicament. It will provide us with more evidence against them.”
“True,” Jack murmured.
“I’m sure Sydney will be happy to see her friend again.” Jack snorted. “At least that’s one thing that will make her happy.”
“Hmm, that’s odd, she didn’t seem unhappy last night when I heard her shouting your name over and over again.”
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Jack scowled. “You’re full of shit. You didn’t hear a thing. Those old walls are so thick they’re practically soundproof.”
“Yeah, but remember, I have to pass her room to get to the commode. I’m sure I wasn’t imagining things, or was it a nightmare she was having?”
“Shut up,” Jack muttered.
Chase grinned. He’d never seen his friend so frazzled by any woman, and Sydney certainly kept him on his toes. Ever since the dark beauty had sought refuge with them, Chase sensed that she and Jack were more attracted to each other than either cared to admit. It was common knowledge that Jack had visited Sydney’s room the last couple nights, but both of them pretended as though there was nothing going on.
In the few days since Sydney’s arrival their arguments made many people run for cover. Yet everyone was aware of the way Jack’s gaze would follow Sydney’s every movement whenever she was near him, and her gaze followed him. Of course that didn’t sit well with one member of their team. Anna. Poor woman. She still obviously cared for Jack after their brief fling, but their friend was too intrigued by the lovely Sydney to give her another thought beyond business.
Chase had once had a thing for the curvy blonde, but she’d only had eyes for Jack, and probably still did. However, lately she’d been a bit friendlier with him than she usually was. He wasn’t fooled into thinking she was interested in anything besides salving her ego. Besides, he couldn’t get a certain redhead off his mind.
He’d met Holly on his assignment to blow up the clinic that was enslaving people against their will under the guise of curing ailments. Though he’d secured the area, and made sure all the humans were out of the building, she had stubbornly refused to go. Finally he’d convinced her when he’d revealed what he’d done. Once they were outside, however, the building wasn’t the only thing that had exploded.
“Why the hell did you do that? Now I’ll never know what happened to my friend. You bastard!” she’d shrieked.
Already a crowd was being drawn to the commotion so Chase, thinking quickly on his feet, grabbed her by the hand and started running. She must have been too
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stunned to protest, but he led her to one of his hiding places inside an abandoned building. It was then Holly had seemed to regain her sense of what had happened, and that’s when she began to scream at him again.
Not wanting anyone happening by and hearing her voice, he’d silenced her.
Since then, his dreams were filled with how soft her lips had been, how ripe her lush body had felt against him, and how fucking horny he’d been.
Chase wondered if she still thought about him too.
Jack waved his hand in Chase’s face, breaking him out of his thoughts. “Did you hear what I just said?”
“Uh, no. Sorry. What did you say?”
“Where were you just now?”
“I was just thinking.”
“What about?”
“Well, you seemed to think Bella is Sydney’s friend.” Jack nodded. “Yes, I’m certain of it.”
“Remember the redhead, Holly, I was telling you about? The one Sydney mentioned in our meeting? She’s friends with these women as well. I think we may need to go into the city for a rescue mission. With Sydney now being a wanted woman, the Cyrellians might start surveillance on Holly. It probably won’t be safe for her after a while, especially if she’s as determined to ‘out’ them as Sydney says she is.”
“Are you suggesting this because you think we should help or because you have a hard on for her?”
Now it was Chase’s turn to frown. “Don’t give me that shit, especially when you’re having woman issues of your own. I’m not going to allow anyone to jeopardize what we’ve worked hard on these past few years, but I think it would behoove us to get to her before the Cyrellians do. Imagine what she already knows about the goings on of those aliens. Not many people who’ve crossed them have lived to tell the tale. I say we go in for a rescue mission.”
Jack stroked his chin. “It may be dangerous.”
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“I know the dangers, and I’ll take the necessary precautions.”
“You’d have to go it alone. It’s much easier for one person to slip into the city rather than a group of us.”
Chase wiggled his eyebrows. “Kind of how you did with Sydney?”
“Don’t start that again.”
“Look, we’ve gone on rescue missions before.”
“And some weren’t so successful. What if she’s one of the people who doesn’t want to come with us? Or worse still, what if she does decide to come to our base, and then goes back to the city because she misses the luxuries we can’t offer? Remember that young couple? They got a bunch of our people killed, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they themselves are now dead. They knew too much about the Cyrellians. It’s one of the reasons we’re very careful about our rescue missions.”
“But if what Sydney says about her friend is true, I can’t see why she’d want to stay in the city. Apparently Holly already has a mistrust of the Cyrellians.”
“You feel pretty strongly about this don’t you, Chase?” Jack asked softly.
“I do. But I’ll defer to you.”
“How about we formulate a plan first?”
Chase nodded. “That’s reasonable.” He had a feeling they’d need to make their move soon, otherwise Holly might be in serious trouble. And for some reason, that thought caused him a great deal of unease.
Sydney could barely believe her eyes when the three newcomers walked into headquarters. She’d just spent the better part of the last few hours avoiding Anna. She swore the woman was out to get her. Sydney wished the two of them could get along, but every overture of friendship she made toward the blonde was rebuffed. She’d been on her way to help out in the kitchen, when she passed the front door. The expedition group was back with the passengers from the space shuttle.
A large gold man with what looked like black tribal markings on his face and long black hair followed the group in. He was followed closely by her friend Bella.
It took several seconds to realize her friend was actually standing there in the flesh, alive and well. “Bella!” she shrieked, even though she knew she wouldn’t be heard. Sydney didn’t care because she wouldn’t have been able to contain her joy even if her life had depended on it.
She raced toward them, pushing the shocked team members aside to get to her friend. Just as she approached, the towering alien, with his glowing blue eyes, stood in front of her, blocking Sydney’s way.
What the hell? Who was this man and why did he think it was okay to block Bella from her?
Bella had seen Sydney by now as well, and sidestepped the big hulk before hurtling herself into Sydney’s arms. The two women hugged as they laughed and tears streamed down their faces. Though Sydney hadn’t wanted to give up hope, there had been times when her faith had begun to slip, especially after learning what the Cyrellians were capable of.
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Uncaring of the curious stares they drew from the other people in the room, Sydney cupped Bella’s face between her hands, unable to believe it was really her. “I was so worried about you. I thought…” She was unable to finish the thought.
Bella smiled, and reached up to wipe a tear from Sydney’s cheek. “It’s okay. I’m fine. There were times when I thought I’d never see you again, but Dar has taken such good care of me. Without him, I’d still be in that blasted zoo.” Sydney frowned. “Zoo? What are you talking about?”
“I don’t think you’d believe it if I told you.”
She snorted. “After the week I’ve had, there isn’t anything you can tell me I wouldn’t believe. And who is Dar?”
Red tinged Bella’s cheeks as she grinned slyly. She turned around and held out her hand to the tall golden alien who took her hand and came forward. “This is Dar.” He was certainly a large one, even bigger than Jack. Sydney actually had to crane her neck to get a good look at him. Despite his odd coloring, the markings, and the strange shade of blue his eyes were, he was actually quite handsome. Dar pulled Bella closer to him, throwing his arm around her shoulder in a protective gesture.
Her friend blushed, shooting him a meaningful look, which was returned. It was obvious the two of them were in love. Dar stared down at Bella as if she were the only one in the room.
A smile tugged the corner of Sydney’s lips. She never would have imagined her friend would end up with an alien, albeit a sexy one, but if she was happy then Sydney would be happy for her.
She held out her hand to him. “Pleased to meet you, Dar.” He stared at her hand with a frown on his face.
Bella said something to him in a language Sydney didn’t understand before Dar took the offered hand. It must not have been a greeting custom where he came from.
“I hate to break up this happy reunion, but I think these three should get settled first and you two can catch up later,” Jack interrupted in his usually arrogant tones.
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Sydney shot him a glare, wishing she could just give him one swift kick in the nuts. That would show him. But unfortunately it would also take him out of commission for a little while. Damn Jack for making her want him. Maybe tonight when he came to her she’d refuse him. Hell, who was she kidding? She knew the minute he touched her she’d go up into flames and there wasn’t a damn thing she’d be able to do to stop him.
“That’s a good idea,” Chase agreed. “I could show these three to their rooms.” Bella said something to her mate again, bringing a frown to his face. He spoke gruffly in that deep bass of his.
“Is anything the matter, Bella?” Sydney asked, noticing the heightened color of the other woman’s cheeks again.
“Dar wants to know if we could have the same sleeping accommodations. He doesn’t want us to be in separate rooms.”
Chase chuckled softly. “I think that can be arranged. How about you, David?
Would you prefer to have your own room or do you mind sharing?”
“I’ll take whatever I can get at this moment. That bed on the ship was a killer on my back,’’ the slight pale man spoke for the first time since he’d entered the house.
Sydney hadn’t noticed him because her eyes had been on Bella and then on Dar.
“I can show them their rooms,” Sydney volunteered, reluctant to let the other woman out of her sight so close to their reunion.
“No. Chase can do it.” Jack moved next to her. “I need to talk to you.”
“Can’t it wait?” she asked impatiently.
He raised a brow. “No, it can’t.”
She sighed, rolling her eyes. “Fine.”
He grabbed her elbow and led her to the library which was currently unoccupied. He closed the door behind them.
“So what was it you wanted to talk to me about that couldn’t -- umph --” Before she could finish what she was saying he had her in his arms with his lips on hers.
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Sydney attempted to pull away from him, more from his underhanded tactics than her reluctance, because like always, she began to melt like hot candle wax. Unable to fight him even a second longer, she threw her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his.
Her tongue thrust forward to meet his in a synchronized dance of passion.
Sydney’s nipples pebbled against her T-shirt and her pussy tingled from being so close to him. Already a pool of moisture was forming in her panties.
Jack yanked her top from the waistband of her pants and slid his hands beneath the material. The feel of his palms slowly moving up her spine, caressing her bare flesh, was more than she could handle. She knew her knees would give out on her at any second if they kept this up.
Sydney tore her mouth away from his. “No, Jack, not here. You know this isn’t an off-limits room. Anyone could walk in here at any moment.” He moved his hands further up her back, his fingers splayed, and touched as much of her skin as possible. “Hmm, you’re not wearing a bra. You know that drives me wild,” Jack continued as if she hadn’t just spoken.
“Did you hear me? Someone could come in here.”
“I heard you just fine, sweetheart, but I’d much rather talk about your bra, or lack of one.”
She sighed. Why did she allow this man to do this to her? “I hate wearing the things; they cut into my skin. Besides, what’s the point when I don’t have anything big enough to justify wearing one?”
Jack lifted her shirt to expose her rock hard peaks to his obsidian gaze. “I wouldn’t say that. I think your breasts are quite lovely.”
“Thanks, but you can’t change the subject. What will the others think?”
“That we’re having a deep meaningful conversation.” He grazed one taut tip with his thumb.
Sydney gasped, arching her neck and throwing her head back as she reveled in the carnal sensations racing through her veins. “Stop that.”
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“You don’t want me to stop, Sydney, so why bother to waste my time or yours?”
“Couldn’t you have waited… until tonight?”
“Nope. When I saw you bounding toward us, with these lovelies jiggling so temptingly, I couldn’t resist doing this.” And with that he dipped his head to take a turgid tip into his mouth.
She should have pushed him away and told him she didn’t want this, but Sydney knew he wouldn’t believe her and neither would she.
As he suckled and tugged the nipple, he unbuttoned her jeans and slipped his hands inside of her panties. Jack ran his fingertip along her damp slit. “I hate that you’re able to do this to me,” she whispered.
He released her nipple with a wet pop and looked at her with his dark eye. “You might, but your body doesn’t. You’re so wet your panties are already soaked,” Jack murmured before turning his attention to her other nipple.
Sydney dug her fingers through his hair when he slipped two fingers into her wet channel. “We shouldn’t,” she whispered one last, weak protest.
Jack’s response was to thrust his fingers deeper into her pussy, fucking her until she was breathless. He released her nipple and stared at her as if to gauge her reaction to him.
Sydney grasped his broad shoulders, holding on tightly, fearing she was too weak to stand straight any longer.
Jack was relentless as he fingered her. “Do you like that, sweetheart?” She remained stubbornly silent, refusing to say the words he wanted to hear.
He chuckled, his brown eye twinkling. “That’s okay, darling. You don’t have to say another word because your body has said it all.” Jack pushed yet another finger inside of her, stretching her vaginal walls to their very limits, putting a delicious hurting on her pussy as only he knew how.
Sydney stiffened as her climax slammed through her like an explosion. She began to shake and couldn’t stop. She gushed cream.
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Jack slowly eased his hand from between her legs and then ran his tongue along his fingers, making sure his gaze never left her face. “You taste good, Sydney.” Common sense returned to her and she pulled away from him, straightening her clothing. “Why did you do that?”
“Because you wanted me to.”
She shook her head vehemently even though she knew he spoke the truth.
“Of course you did, dear. Every time you look at me with those pretty brown fuck me eyes of yours, you beg me for it.”
“That’s not true. As a matter of fact, I only had eyes for my friend.” He cocked one brow. “But do you remember what you did to me before the group and I left on our expedition?”
Heat rushed to her cheeks and Sydney was thankful her skin was so dark because it would mask her blush. She recalled coming out of the bathroom this morning freshly showered, with a towel wrapped around her body. Jack had been coming down the hall. She didn’t know what had possessed her, but Sydney had let the towel dip just enough to reveal a bit of areola.
Jack had tripped over his feet and she hurried away, knowing he couldn’t chase her because he needed to leave on the expedition.
He grinned as he scanned her face. “Yes, I see you do remember. The next time you pull a stunt like that, just know there’ll be consequences to your actions.”
“You’re so full of yourself. There won’t be a next time,” she hissed.
“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong. You can’t get enough of me, and I sure as hell can’t of you.” He raked his fingers through his long black locks. “Hell, I know what’s happening between us is crazy and we should be focused on the fight ahead, but you’re an itch I can’t scratch.”
“They have creams for that, you know,” Sydney muttered, refusing to meet his eye.
Jack moved closer and she took a step back. “Don’t pull away from me.” He grasped her chin, forcing her to meet his eye. “This attraction I have for you isn’t easy
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for me either. What we have is going to complicate things. Even though I know I should be focusing on taking down the Cyrellians, I can’t stop thinking about you. I’m not sure what’s going to happen to us, or even if we’ll survive the future, but I do know if I let this opportunity between us pass, I’ll probably regret it for the rest of my life.” As much as she hated to agree with him, she felt the same. More than anything she wanted to open up to him and share her insecurities, but that wall she’d spent years building around her wasn’t going to fall so easily. Sydney shrugged. “It’s called sex, Jack. It’s nothing special, and I’m sure it would be great if we tried it with other people.” She silently congratulated herself for sounding more nonchalant than she felt.
The grip he had on her chin tightened. “But you’re not going to have sex with any other man here. You may want to fight what’s going on, but I’m not going to let you. Sooner or later, you’re going to have to face up to your feelings, Sydney.”
“What I feel right now is the need to see my friend. We’ve been separated for months, yet you saw fit to drag me into the library and molest me.” He released her chin. “Fine. Go to her. But don’t ever describe what we just shared as me molesting you because you wanted it just as badly as I did. Especially since we both know when I visit you later you’ll be begging me to stay with you through the night.” His lips curved into a smug grin.
She wanted to slap the smirk off his face. “And what makes you think I’ll have you tonight?”
“Oh, I think you will. And we both know it.” Before she could reply, Jack turned on his heels and left the library.
She closed her eyes tight. She could almost come to terms with the upheaval of her life of late, but Sydney didn’t know if she could ever get used to what Jack was doing to her, and how much she liked it.