Whatever It Takes (9 page)

His gaze traveled slowly to her face and a grin lifted the corners of his lips. “Now, if there was just something we could do about that mouth of yours.” He moved forward on his knees and dropped down beside her. “Ah . . . that’s right. There is.”

As she started to protest, he covered her mouth with his, sliding his tongue deep inside and muffling her retort to a surprised squeak. At the same time, his talented fingers pulled and plucked at her nipples until her breathing hitched and sputtered.

Lost in a dark haze of desire, she answered his ardent kiss, her tongue dueling and parrying with his. She was barely aware of her fingernails scraping down his back. When his hand swept the front of her and under the tiny scrap of her panties, her entire body arched upward in urgent need of his touch.

Unerringly, he found her center, the spot that controlled all the rest of her body because one touch from his strong, sure fingers left her contorted and gasping for air. Not once in all her captive years had she experienced this. She didn’t know it was possible. She’d heard things from the other women, but the men who had visited her weren’t interested in
her
pleasure.

Nate didn’t stop there. His mouth continued to ensure her silence as his fingers awakened senses long buried. Her insides melted in a fiery inferno of pleasure as he pushed her up, up, and over the precipice until she groaned his name and clung to him.

Too languid to move, Alex opened her eyes when she felt him stir. He stood and peeled off his clothes, searched through his wallet beside the bed, and rolled on the condom he finally found. He was incredibly rugged and sexy. At least six feet, five inches of muscled steel, thighs and biceps that bunched and corded with every movement, and his rock-­hard maleness jutted in front of him, thick and engorged. Excitement coursed through her again.

He smiled as he approached her. Gently, he lifted her, drew her panties to her ankles, and tossed them on the floor.

“You’ve been very patient.” Her gaze wandered slowly up his length to his powerful chest. She reached for him, needing to feel the strength that radiated from him with her own hands.

He crawled on the bed and covered her body with his. “That’s about to change.”

With infinite tenderness, he brushed the hair back from her temples and kissed her with unmistakable possessiveness, branding her with the heat of his lips. He moved his hands to her hips and held her in place while he shoved forward into her. One more thrust seated him deep within.

“Ohh, Alex . . . that’s so good.” Between shattered breaths, he kissed her.

His slow, measured rhythm kindled the fire within her again, to her surprise, and she met each stroke. When he picked up the pace, she wrapped her legs around him. Thrusts came hard and fast, filling her physically and, in a strange way, emotionally. She screamed out his name this time when he tipped her over the edge, and his release followed swiftly.

She couldn’t be certain, but surely the fact he didn’t let her go—­that he tucked her in front of him and held her tightly after they were both sated with lovemaking—­was a good sign. For her part, it was official now. She was undeniably in serious lust with Nate.

Chapter 7

N
ATE WOKE AT
first light, Alex’s beautiful, nude body intertwined with his, her soft breaths against his chest sending tingles clear to his groin with each exhale. He dipped his head and studied Alex’s face. Her peaceful innocence sent a wave of protectiveness washing over him. Thankfully, no more dreams had invaded her sleep last night—­but then he’d kept her up until the early hours of the morning.

He quickly suppressed the grin that slid across his face. Damned if he hadn’t broken one of his cardinal rules—­don’t get involved with your partner. His arm tightened reflexively around her. The hell with the rules. Nothing in recent history felt as right as Alex in his bed.

The satiny skin of her back was cold to his touch, and he reached to pull one of the sleeping bags around her. It had cooled down during the night. He hadn’t thought to start the heater. Besides, they hadn’t needed it for most of the night. Nate stretched, and the relaxed exhaustion in his muscles put a smile on his face and awakened the urge to do it all over again. His growing arousal got his attention the same instant she stirred and opened her eyes.

“What’s so funny?” She stretched and slid one of her legs over his.

“Do I have a stupid grin on my face?” Considering where his thoughts had carried him, it was more than likely.

“Yes, but this one is different than your usual.” Alex smiled impishly.

Nate growled, threw a hand over his heart like she’d stabbed him, and then kissed her quickly on the forehead. “Glad to see you’re back to normal this morning. I’d like to point out that all the time you were here in bed with me—­not one nightmare. Now do you believe me?”

Alex laughed. “I’m pretty sure one of the prerequisites for nightmares is sleep. There wasn’t a lot of that going on last night.”

“You noticed that, huh? With a little luck, we could keep your bad dreams away for a long, long time.” She jabbed him just below the rib cage and he flinched, catching her hand. Sliding down until his face was even with hers, he teased her nose with his for a moment, then covered her lips and drew her tightly against him.

They fit so perfectly together, it couldn’t be an accident, but he knew better than to hope for anything long-­term. He was still a cop and it had already been proven what a detriment that was to a relationship. And if that wasn’t enough, then there was Alex. She had a whole other set of problems, and given her skittishness, the odds were pretty good she’d run if things got too comfortable.

She wasn’t running now though. With eyes locked on his, she lazily swept her hand across his chest, teasing his already hardened nipples, then moved down over his ribs and abdomen until she brazenly coiled her fingers around his erection.

He drew in a faltering breath and held it while she caressed him with slow, easy strokes. When the pleasure grew until he couldn’t hold back any longer, he grabbed for his last condom and pressed it into her hand.

“We’ll have to hit a store today.”

Alex burst out laughing. Finally, she managed to get the plastic package opened and the condom in place. “You’re assuming you’re going to need more of these?” Her brow quirked comically.

Nate smiled, rolled over, and pinned her beneath him. “I said you wouldn’t be able to get enough of me, and so far . . .”

Alex wrapped her arms around his neck and her lips met his, her supple tongue making him forget anything else he was going to say. He pushed inside her and she held him in her tight, hot sheath until he couldn’t remain still any longer. Relishing every movement, every stroke, every thrust deeper than the last, he smiled and kissed her tenderly when she climaxed, but didn’t relent until he followed her over the top.

N
ATE DRESSED WHILE
Alex showered, then went to the small cooking area and started breakfast. The aroma of bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, and coffee filled the motor home. Nothing smelled better than fresh-­perked coffee. He poured two cups, took a swallow from one, and carried the other back to the bedroom, handing it to Alex as she came out of the bathroom.

“Thanks.” Her gaze rested on him over the rim of the cup as she took a sip.

He stepped closer and took the cup back, setting it on the built-­in cabinet beside the bed. His big hands circled her small waist and pulled her close. “Any regrets?”

“Plenty.” She smiled and stroked his cheek with her finger. “But none that involve you.” A sparkle of humor appeared in her eyes. “That
is
what you wanted to know, isn’t it?”

Nate cupped the back of her head, lacing his fingers through her hair, and stepped into her so their torsos almost touched. Her nipples, swollen and firm, strained against the fabric of her shirt and made his lower stomach clench with need. He tipped her head back, forcing her to look at him, and held her gaze for several seconds. Desire darkened the gold flecks in her eyes to nearly negligible.

Slowly, he claimed her mouth, savoring the texture of her lips as he moved over them. He traced the edges with his tongue until she opened for him, and he plunged in, deep and full, aching to have her beneath him again. She tasted clean and sweet, with a hint of coffee. Yeah, that pretty much described Alex Morgan.

Nate kissed her twice more and let her go. Instead of continuing to get ready, she stepped into him, slid her arms around his waist, and laid her head against his chest. Something about her actions assuaged his frustration, and he wrapped her up tight, dropping light kisses on her forehead.

“Is that breakfast I smell?” Alex peered around his biceps.

He abruptly released her and rushed back to the kitchen, determined not to burn their breakfast. Her melodic laughter followed him.

Nate dished up two plates and they ate sitting side by side on the sofa. She drew up her long, sexy legs and sat cross-­legged, resting her plate on her knees. Her hunter green shorts hugged her in all the right places, paired with a short white tank top. She’d left her hair down around her shoulders. She looked damn good—­maybe even happy.
Right. Like one night with me is going to change her life. Get real!

“What are we doing today?” Alex finished her last bite, reached for his empty plate, and carried the dishes to the sink.

“I thought we’d try our hands at fishing—­at least until we hear from Joe and find out what the plan is. Interested?” Nate stood and pulled his baseball cap down on his head.

Eagerness lit up her face. “You bet! But let me wash these dishes first.”

He walked toward her. “I’ll give you a hand.”

“No. You cooked; I’ll clean. It’ll only take a few minutes.” She stood on her tiptoes and brushed her lips across his.

A jolt ran through him at her touch, and Nate reached for her, momentarily forgetting what he was supposed to be doing as he sprinkled kisses along her neck.

Finally, she laughed and gave him a shove. “Go. I’ll be out in a minute.”

He rammed his hands in his pockets to keep from pulling her close and changing their plans for the day. Forcing himself to turn away, he walked to the door. “I’ll hoof it down to the marina and see about renting a boat and getting us some fishing licenses. We’ll get the gear ready when I come back.”

He left her standing with both hands in a sink full of water and descended the steps of the motor home. Nate couldn’t remember anyone ever looking so hot doing housework. He’d better move along before they were both covered in dish soap.

The sun was already hot, positioned just above the horizon in a sea of cloudless blue. The chirping of birds filled the air, and a light breeze brought with it the scent of fishy water. There were two other RVs in the campground, but neither showed any signs of life. The hundred and fifty yards to the edge of the lake made for a quiet and peaceful walk—­just what he needed to get his mind off Alex and back on the mission.

The Patagonia Lake Marina and Resort was small and actually more of a hardware-­slash-­convenience store than a resort. As the screen door banged shut behind Nate, the gnarled old proprietor stared with narrowed eyes from behind his cash register and continued to chew on the end of a well-­used toothpick, switching it from one side of his mouth to the other. How he managed that without dislodging the large glob of tobacco that lined the inside of his lip was a mystery. His gaze followed Nate until he stopped, arms leaning on the counter.

Nate pushed his hat back and pasted on his friendliest smile. “How’s the fishin’?”

The man picked up a Styrofoam cup from below the counter and spat into it before he answered. “Good as it gets.”

“Worth renting a boat?” Nate studied the man. Did the old coot greet all of his prospective customers with this level of enthusiasm?

The man glared at him a moment longer, then returned his foul cup to wherever he’d found it and tossed a piece of paper at him.

“Twenty-­five dollars a day—­you buy the gas and return it full. Fill out the rental agreement and there’s a one-­hundred-­dollar deposit—­cash.” The man’s watchful eyes drilled into Nate, daring him to argue.

It would do no good to protest. This guy was the only game in town. Nate tamped down his annoyance. “A hundred dollars, huh? Refundable, I assume?”

“Right.” The man almost smiled.

Nate filled out the paperwork and handed it back. “Need a ­couple temporary fishing licenses too. Got any condoms?” He glanced up to see if the old man had heard him.

His bushy eyebrows arched upward. “There are two of you?”

Nate nodded. “Me and my wife.”

He plopped two applications in front of Nate and moved around the counter to a shelf along the wall. “One package do ya?”

“Better make it two.” Nate didn’t turn but he could imagine the skeptical look on the man’s face.

“Your wife will have to sign for the license too.”

“No problem. I’ll get her as soon as we settle up.” He took out his wallet and started counting out bills. “And you probably better sell me some gas just in case the boat wasn’t full when the last renters brought it back.” He looked up from the paperwork to see if the old man even understood his inference, but the proprietor was now staring out the window intently.

Nate glanced over his shoulder. Two seventies-­model Ford pickups had pulled into the campground and parked haphazardly in empty camping spots. Four burly men spilled from the vehicles, handguns clearly visible on their hips. In no particular hurry, they strode toward the closest occupied RV space—­the one where
his
motor home sat with Alex inside.

“Shit!” Nate shoved his wallet in his pants pocket and started for the door. His weapon was loaded and ready, but he checked it anyway as he stepped out into the sun. He considered clipping his badge on his belt, but decided against it. Joe wouldn’t be happy if he called attention to his official capacity before their mission was complete. Besides, he was just pissed off enough at the moment, he wouldn’t need a badge.

The old man said something as the door slammed shut. Nate didn’t hear him and couldn’t care less what he’d said. He returned the gun to his shoulder holster and sprinted toward the motor home.

As he approached the rear of the RV, he lost sight of the group of men, but he could hear them laughing and making rude comments. He slowed to a walk and hugged the side of the structure as he peered around the front. The rabble-­rousers were congregated in a semicircle near the door and they apparently weren’t going for surprise.

One of them, a muscle-­bound Hispanic, banged loudly on the side of the motor home. “Hey,
chichita
! Come out and play.” Coarse laughter followed from the rest of the clan, and one greasy-­looking gringo puckered his lips and made kissing sounds.

It was evidently too much to hope that Alex would stay hidden inside. Almost instantly, the door flew open and she leaped into the midst of them, sending two of them stumbling backward into the dirt to the accompanying raucous laughter of their comrades.

She stepped back until she was on the outside of the group that now stood between her and the motor home, and her hand hovered near the edge of her jacket where Nate had seen her dagger. Time slowed to a crawl. Alex’s wicked smile told him everything he needed to know. This was going to get bad in a hurry. She would fight to the death to keep from being controlled again.

“What’s up, boys?” A chilling calm radiated through her voice as she met each set of eyes.

The laughter gradually died and no one moved for the longest time as they watched her warily.

Finally, one of the men drew his gun and stepped closer to her, motioning toward the pickups behind her. “
Vamonos!
”

A calculating smile played across her features, and she shook her head with confident disdain. Pride wound its way through Nate as he watched her.

The spokesman for the group apparently didn’t like being refused, especially when his men looked on and snickered. He raised his hand to slap Alex. She jumped aside into a half crouch, and her hand disappeared in a blur beneath her jacket.

It was now or never. Nate pushed away from his temporary hiding place and walked quickly toward them. “If you boys would have called ahead, we’d have put the coffee on for you.” He spoke loudly as he threaded through the line of momentarily stunned men.

As soon as Alex focused on him, he shook his head slightly and was relieved to see her hand ease off the hilt of her dagger.

“There you are, sweetie.” She greeted him with a thin smile. “I was just about to come looking for you.”

Nate stopped beside her and draped his arm over her shoulders, facing the men, who were now apparently grumbling over his sudden appearance.

“No need.” He kissed her temple tenderly. “I’ve always got my eye on you.”

Her lips trembled—­a tiny movement—­but she stared straight ahead at the self-­appointed spokesman for the group. Nate turned his gaze on the man too.

These clowns apparently thought they’d swoop in and walk out with Alex. He wasn’t even ready to contemplate what they wanted her for. Regardless, it wasn’t happening as long as he was alive—­which could be a shorter time than he liked. The only way Nate could see out of this was a full-­on fight to the last man standing. They’d probably already spotted the bulge of his forty-­five under his jacket. Might have seen Alex’s dagger tucked against her side too, but Nate was fairly certain they wouldn’t be expecting the damage she could inflict. Still, he and Alex were outnumbered two to one.