by KaLyn Cooper
When he opened the swinging door to the kitchen, the clang and bang of pans, several conversations in different languages, mouthwatering cooking smells, and the bright overhead lights assaulted all his senses. One of the servers squealed and all movement ceased.
“No. Please. Don’t let me interrupt,” Remi begged. “I just wanted to check with chef Bruno—” He’d barely gotten the words out when the tall thin man approached with a huge smile.
“I no make a picnic. You and Miss Willow deserve a nice supper.” He motioned for Remi to follow him out the back door. In the corner near the flowering garden, Bruno had set up a table, covered in Irish linen, set with fine china and silver, just as they did inside.
“Bruno, this is so nice of you. I hate that you went to all this bother.” But deep down, Remi was thrilled. He’d wanted to take Willow out to supper, perhaps one of the fine dining restaurants that had been there years ago. Given the current political climate, though, he knew that had become impossible. As he looked around the backyard, he was positive she would enjoy this exponentially more.
He slapped the chef on the shoulder. “This is perfect. She’s going to love it.”
Forty minutes later, Remi walked Willow down the hall when they had been called for supper, but he led her past the dining room, over the patio, and to the back corner where one of the servers stood next to a tray filled with dome-covered dishes.
To his surprise, Willow spoke in a foreign language directly to the woman, who smiled and placed her hand over her heart and lowered her head.
“What did you say?” He asked as he held out the chair for her.
“I just greeted her in Wayuu. Most of the people who work here are part of Bruno’s family and they’re all from the same area.” She tilted her head toward the uniform clad woman who looked to be in her early fifties. “Lucia is Bruno’s sister.”
Hearing her name, the woman lifted her head and looked at Willow who repeated her words in Wayuu. Smiling, the woman nodded and brought their first course over to the small table.
A bottle of wine sat chilling off to the side. Remi had taken himself off duty for the night, putting Gage Ramsey in charge. He poured them both a glass of the golden yellow wine. “To a memorable evening.” He lifted the crystal in toast as they gently touched glasses and drank.
“I wanted to thank you for the note last night. By the time I got back to my room last night, I was ready to crash. I took a few minutes, though, to go online and order flowers for my mom.” He smiled as he remembered their conversation. “She loved them. It was a great idea.”
“You’re very welcome. I have some other good ideas, too.” If the sexy smile she gave him wasn’t an indication, the heat in her beautiful eyes told him where her thoughts had gone.
“So, how was your day?” Remi asked, needing to change the direction of the conversation before he had to fight a hard on throughout the meal.
For the next two hours, their conversation flowed easily from one topic to another. She was so intelligent, she could speak to almost any subject, but he didn’t have a problem holding his own in any discussion.
As night descended around them, Lucia cleared away all the dishes, then spoke in her language to Willow.
“She’s asking if we would like to have coffee on the patio.” Willow’s smile went wide. “Oh, let’s do. There’s a glider for two.” She giggled at her rhyme.
He stood and took her hand. “Please tell Lucia that would be wonderful.” He wasn’t exactly sure what a glider was but it obviously thrilled Willow, so he was game. She led him to a loveseat tucked into one corner of the patio.
The minute he sat down, it started to move. It was kind of like a porch swing and loveseat combined. Willow had started the rocking motion but when he took over, she kicked off her shoes and curled up on the cushion, laying her head on his shoulder.
“It’s so nice here. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you bringing me to this compound.” He felt her smile. “I spent an hour out here in the sun at the table. It was heaven.”
He rubbed his hand up and down her bare arm. “I’m glad it worked out for you. Is there anything you need from the embassy that you forgot to bring?”
“A few things. I was going to go tomorrow and see what’s on my desk—”
He felt the shudder run through her. He, too, was remembering the last thing on her desk.
“No.” The word escaped too harshly. He softened his voice. “I don’t want you going to the embassy without bodyguards. I’d rather you didn’t go there without me. I checked with Rocco today and Lieutenant Canaday hasn’t made any progress.” Remi hadn’t been surprised by that news and doubted she was, either.
“The ambassador is meeting with President Guerra later this week and there are so many preparations that need to be made.” She sat up to look him in the eyes. “This is my job, Remi. Some of it I can do from here, but there are things that I have to be at the embassy to handle.”
“I understand.” He gently took her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “I’m worried about your safety.”
She looked so innocent gazing up at him. He couldn’t resist. He slowly lowered his head, giving her time to pull away, or say no, before he touched his lips to hers. It started out sweet, but the fire that burned inside them couldn’t be denied. She opened for him and he swept in, tasting her, wanting more. Needing more.
“Willow, I want you,” he managed between kisses.
She stood abruptly and grabbed his hand. When he stood against her body, separated only by layers of cloth, she leaned up and kissed him. “My room, now,” she whispered.
He heard the need in her voice, and it matched his own. When she tried to step away, he held onto her. “Are you sure?”
She nipped his throat. “If I wasn’t positive there were at least two security cameras covering this patio, I would take your hand and guide it between my legs so you could feel for yourself how wet I am, how much I want you.”
Remi’s cock throbbed against the zipper of his khaki pants. At her confession, he wanted to pick her up and throw her over his shoulder caveman style and drag her to his room. Instead, he took her hand and walked as casually as he could toward their rooms. He didn’t stop at her door but went straight to his.
“I thought we were going to my room?” She asked just above a whisper.
He unlocked the door and pulled her in. “I have condoms in my bedside drawer. Do you?”
She shook her head.
Rising on her tiptoes she grabbed his head and pulled it down. “You’re brilliant.”
He chuckled as he kissed his way down her neck. “No. Desperate to be inside you.”
The little pearl buttons of her blouse were so tiny that he kept fumbling. It hadn’t been that long since he’d stripped a woman, had it? He didn’t want to think about the last woman he’d been with, or any woman other than the one he was peeling out of her clothes.
She brushed away his hands. “Let me. Even with my small fingers they give me trouble.”
He kissed every inch of skin as she revealed it. “In another minute I was about to rip it off you.” Thanks to his new job, and hazard pay for being there, he could easily afford to buy her several new blouses.
Reaching around behind her, he released her bra with the snap of his fingers. He dragged his hands down her arms, taking the bra and blouse with him. For a long moment, he stared at her naked breasts. They seemed larger than before. He definitely remembered the dark nipples. Cupping them in both hands, he gently massaged them before he ran his thumb over the already hardened nipples.
Bending, he took one in his mouth, circling the pebble with his tongue before he sucked hard. With his other hand, he rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger then pinched gently.
Willow arched into him as though begging for more.
Remi dropped to his knees and quickly unzipped her slacks, guiding them over her hips. When they fell to the floor, he ordered, “Step out.”
<
br /> When she lifted each leg, she spread farther apart. His face inches from her, he was overwhelmed with her unique scent. Her black panties were soaked. He resisted the urge to lean in and rip them off with his teeth. Instead, he traced the lace edges with his finger then pressed his thumb over her clit.
She bucked toward him.
He grabbed her under the knees and across her back and picked her up. It was only a few steps to the bed but by the time he reached it, he didn’t want to let her go.
Forcing himself, he set her on her feet while he threw back the covers.
When he stood again, she placed her hands on his chest. “You’re a little bit overdressed for this party.” She ran her nails over his erection. Even through the pants and his boxer briefs, it felt as though she were lightly dragging her teeth up his length. His cock throbbed against his zipper as though trying to break through.
In less than a second, he was out of his polo shirt and reaching for his belt buckle.
Her hands tangled with his. “Can I help you with that?”
He grabbed her wrists and pulled them away. “I’m afraid if you touch me, I’ll explode.” He grinned, or it might’ve been a grimace. “Then you’d have to wait at least half an hour before I’m ready again.” He rubbed his thumb over her clit. “Bet I could make you come at least one more time while we were waiting.”
She stepped forward and kissed him without touching anything except his lips. “I want you inside me, now.” She slid her fingers into the edge of her panties and slipped them off. Crawling onto his beige sheets, her light brown skin practically glowed.
Remi didn’t remember taking his pants off, or his boxer briefs, but he knew it had been only seconds when he crawled in and stretched out beside her. He wanted to touch, kiss, and lick, every inch of her bare skin, but he didn’t think he’d last long enough to even get started this first time.
He opened his drawer and pulled out several condoms. Opening one, he sheathed himself, then ran his fingers through her slick folds. She was wet and ready.
Willow pulled him down for a kiss as she spread her legs. He was pleasantly surprised when she reached for his cock and guided him inside. She was tight, not that he was complaining. She lifted her knees and he slid even deeper.
“Oh, Remi.” She moaned. “Hold there, just a minute.” He felt her relax around him. “Okay, I’m ready.” Then she rolled her hips forward and back.
Holy fuck. That was a whole new sensation for him. “Do that again,” he all but begged.
She smiled as she lifted her hips up then rolled them back down.
“Christ, I could come just from you doing that,” he confessed.
“Want to try?” She offered.
“Not this time.” He pulled out and slammed back into her. On his next stroke she lifted her hips to meet his. They instantly matched rhythm. It was as though their bodies were completely in sync. He had been so ready for this for days, he had to grit his teeth and think about disgusting oil wells to keep from coming. He was going to hold out for her no matter what.
“Are you close, sweetheart?” He panted.
“Yes.” Gasp. “I didn’t think you were quite there yet.”
Remi chuckled and stopped while he was so deep, he touched bottom. He kissed her on the lips. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
As he said the words, he realized that he had been waiting for her…to come back into his life. Her soft brown hair fanned across his pillow, he knew she was right where she belonged, in his bed, with him buried deep inside her.
He slowed his pace as he enjoyed each stroke. She seemed to grasp him as he withdrew, as though she didn’t want him to leave. Then she tightened as he shoved back in, making it so good for him he would never want another woman.
She had slowed the frantic pace, too. He didn’t want to lose their momentum, though. He pushed up from his elbows and balanced on one hand while his other found her clitoris. A few strokes with his thumb was all it took to bring her back to where she was.
“Talk to me, sweetheart. Tell me when you’re ready to jump over the edge with me.” Sweat rolled down his back as his hips pumped against hers. He flicked the underside of her clit each time he was deep inside.
“Remi.” She panted his name. “I’m falling…”
He gave her clit a little pinch and she rose three inches off the bed. He felt every muscle in her pelvis tighten around him. He arched his back, driving in two more times before he released. Every muscle in his body gave out but he rolled to the side so as not to crush her. He held her limp body tight to him as he fell into the blissful darkness.
They awoke two more times that night, sharing their bodies with each other before collapsing back into sleep. Around four o’clock in the morning, he felt Willow leave the bed. After gathering her clothes, she picked up the T-shirt he had slept in the night before and slipped it over her naked body. She leaned across the bed and kissed his cheek before whispering, “Best night I’ve had in years.”
When she tried to move away, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back for one last kiss. “Challenge accepted.”
“What?”
“I’ll just have to try harder next time.” He gave her a quick kiss. “I’m going for best night…ever. We are not done, you know.”
She gave him a cocky smile. “We are for tonight. I’ll see you in the morning.”
But when Remi got up to work out a few hours later, Willow was still asleep. He felt a little guilty when Bruno gave the ten-minute warning for breakfast, so he texted her. When she didn’t reply, he knocked on her door. She didn’t answer, so he called her phone.
“Willow Cardenas.” Her voice was sleepy, rough, and sexy.
“Sweetheart, are you coming to breakfast?” He slid into his room so no one else could hear their conversation.
“Remi? Why are you calling me at this hour?” He wished she was saying this while lying next to him.
He chuckled. “Because Bruno just gave the ten-minute warning for breakfast.”
He’d rarely been around the morning-after, but at the moment, he’d do almost anything to see her when she first opened her eyes.
“You go and have fun. I’m sleeping. I’ll see you tonight at supper. Night.” She hung up on him.
Remi couldn’t decide if he was proud for her wearing her out last night or felt bad because he wore her out last night.
At the knock on his door, he wondered if Willow had been pulling his leg. He answered it with a smile, only to find Mr. Dunaway standing there ready for the day.
“Let’s go grab some breakfast before we have to look at more rigs.” The oilman pulled out his tablet as he started down the hallway. “According to your men…”
The next several days were a repeat of the last. Remi would start his day with a workout, breakfast with his men and Mr. Dunaway, checking out oil rigs during the daylight, and exploring Willow’s body at night. Every evening after supper, they walked the grounds, sat on the bench admiring the flowers in the corner, and took coffee and dessert on the terrace.
On Wednesday night, while they were finishing coffee on the glider, Willow turned to face him. “I have to go to the embassy tomorrow. Ambassador Snyder and I have too many things to go over before the meeting with President Guerra on Friday.”
Remi was afraid this was coming. He couldn’t go with her, but he’d discussed the situation with his men and talked to Rocco. “I understand. As soon as the limousine drops us off at the helicopter pad, they will return here and pick you up. Gage and Flynn are going to ride over to the embassy with you and escort you in. Once inside, Rocco has promised me that you will have a guard, but since you’ll be with Ambassador Snyder, it’s not too much of an inconvenience for his bodyguards to also be on the lookout for you.”
Willow threw her arms around him. “I was so afraid this was going to be our first real fight.” She gave him a hard, quick kiss. “You have this all worked out.”
Remi pulled her into his lap. “W
illow, sweetheart, I’m not going to take any chances with your life. You mean too much to me.”
“In that case, take me to your room and show me exactly how much I mean to you.”
Remi tried to show her with his tenderness how much he loved her. He knew she wasn’t ready to hear the words, and fuck all, he wasn’t ready to say them. But deep in his heart, he knew he loved Willow.
Thursday morning, Remi was more on edge than usual. When he was protecting Mr. Dunaway, he was hyperaware. That morning, his Spidey radar was pinging. He wasn’t sure if it was because they were going to three wells on land that could possibly be under pirate control, or if it was because Willow was returning to the U.S. Embassy.
Before the crew and Mr. Dunaway left, Remi sneaked into Willow’s room. His woman was definitely not a morning person. She barely woke enough to wish him a good day, but the kiss…that was sweet. He’d hold that memory in his heart.
Chapter 10
Flynn was on the phone with Rocco as the gates to the embassy opened and the Marine Corps guards signaled them through. “Pulling up to the portico to deliver the package.”
Willow had been called a lot of things, but package was a new one. She felt rather silly that Remi had gone to all this bother to protect her. She had been walking in and out of the U.S. Embassy for years without any problem.
Then she thought about the rat and the message. Whoever was doing this was definitely stepping up their game. She was pretty sure they knew what she had done. How they’d figured it out, she had no idea. Did they know how much more she still had? Was that why they were trying to kill her?
If they succeeded in killing her right now, no one would ever find out what they had done. She couldn’t let that happen.
It was time for her to tell someone else. The list of those involved ran long and deep into both governments. Who could she trust?
Glancing over at Flynn and Gage, she was suddenly thankful for their presence. Although nobody except the ambassador knew she was coming in to work that day, she wasn’t exactly excited about going to her office.
