Bound by Vengeance (SKALS)

by Adriana Noir

  She squirmed, writhing on his thick shaft as he emptied himself inside her. The movements drew winded gasps from him, and the passionate hold on her hair grew to one of warning. Her eyes locked with his as Sebastian gave a slow shake of his head.

  “Don’t move,” he panted in a breathless whisper.

  After a few seconds, he gently eased her down. Taylor’s cheeks burned with embarrassment as his laughter followed her awkward scramble to the bathroom. The end of his tee shirt snapped playfully across the back of her thighs and she paused, peering over her shoulder at him in question.

  “You’re making a mess,” he explained, the corners of his eyes crinkling with his smile.

  The press of cool travertine stone beneath his feet soothed his overheated body. Making his way back into the kitchen, Sebastian grabbed a bottle of water out of the refrigerator. He downed half of it and caught his breath before polishing off the rest. His temperature ebbed as both mind and body gradually came back down from their euphoric high. A brief smile flickered across his face with the thought. He never did drugs—never even experimented with them as a kid. His instincts warned he’d hate the lack of control, no matter how fleeting. But Taylor, she was a different story. She offered the most incredible thrill. He couldn’t get enough. Even now, with his body still tingling, his mind wandered to their next encounter. He wondered where it would be, what they would do…

  Sighing, he pitched the empty bottle into the trash. The woman had him in knots.

  He needed to stay busy. With that in mind, he moved to clear the table in the morning room. As delicious as breakfast had been, his appetite was lacking. Seeing those surveillance pictures of Taylor and his sister had hit him like a gut shot. It wasn’t what could have been that haunted him, though Todd had suffered long and hard for those notions as well. It was what could still be. The bastard’s brother was still out there. Still on the loose, and still doing God knew what. Steven Laychee was not a stupid man—reckless, perhaps, but not dumb. Not even average. He was a former member of the Special Forces, with solid ties to several paramilitary groups. The guy was a loose cannon, and the weapons they’d been stashing in the warehouse indicated he was about to blow…but where?

  Raking a hand through his hair, Sebastian shifted his attention outside. His eyes narrowed as he tracked the security team patrolling the grounds. The muscles in his jaw tightened with rigid fury. The infiltrating son-of-a-bitch had been tied to Laychee. It had been his idea, his call. Todd swore no one else had seen any of the pictures. He and his brother were supposed to do an exchange this afternoon. Another brutal round of torture and a heavy dose of sodium pentothal had assured them he spoke the truth, but the dark shadows of doubt remained. Steven might have requested some of his own, just as an extra precaution. He would have. When staking out a target, one could never be too thorough.

  Sebastian sloughed a hand over his face and squeezed his mouth in thought. Pictures or not, Laychee knew his vulnerable points—as few as they were. Taylor, Monique, Mia…

  He shook his head, trying to dispel the rise of panic. Josh would protect his sister, and it wasn’t just loyalty motivating his partner. Loyalties could break at any time. Love was different, and though Josh had never come out and said it to his face, Sebastian had no doubt that man loved Monique with everything he had. That love was why he asked Josh to look after her in the first place.

  Focus.

  He tried, but he couldn’t. His thoughts were a jumbled mess. Sebastian grunted. At the moment, his life was a mess. There was a crazed lunatic out there with a hunger for blood. If having his brother’s face carved up like a jack-o-lantern was enough to spark a fire under Laychee’s ass, finding out he was dead was going to light the fuse. Things were going to get bad, and to make matters worse, he now had the added stress of not being able to trust the security team he’d put in place.

  He slammed his fist on the table with a heated curse. The plates on the serving tray rattled with the force.

  “Seb?”

  He whirled at the sound of Taylor’s voice. The soft, sultry sound jerked him from his maddened haze. Worry lined her beautiful face, and those amazing grey eyes darkened with a hint of fear. His chest ached. Forcing a smile to his lips, he opened his arms to her.

  “Everything’s okay, baby,” he murmured, burying his face in her hair when she stepped into his embrace.

  The comforting scent of warm vanilla and cashmere washed over him. He sighed with pleasure as the aroma engulfed him and Taylor rubbed her hands up and down his lower back. The tense hammer of his heart slowed. He needed her—needed this. Drawing strength and serenity from the moment, he pushed thoughts of work aside. His attention refocused on Taylor. Backing up to one of the stools, he sat down and pulled her into his lap. He twined his fingers through hers and kissed each one before lifting his eyes to hers.

  “You’ve been cooped up inside this house for days. I have a little bit of time off. What do you say to us slipping away for a bit and enjoying the afternoon?”

  A gorgeous grin lit her face. “Really?”

  Sebastian brushed the warm silk of her neck with his lips. She always smelled like heaven. “You’re such a cheeky little minx,” he whispered in her ear. He couldn’t help but love the way she squirmed. “I never say anything I don’t mean.”

  Chapter 2 ~

  The quaint little store held the rich smell of old parchment and used books. It was the kind of place she could lose herself in for hours. Every shelf held the promise of hidden treasures, and she trailed her fingers lovingly over the spines. They’d stumbled upon it by chance while roaming the downtown streets. At first, Sebastian had been skeptical, and suggested a larger retail chain where the selection was bigger and the books weren’t used, but he’d caved under her pleading and the excited clutch of her hands. It was hard to say if his interest was genuine or not, but he quietly perused the shelf beside her. If nothing else, the small shop offered a welcome reprieve from the biting wind and cold.

  Taylor frowned as she glanced outside. The snow had started to pick up by the time she’d loaded the dishwasher and gotten dressed, but now it was coming down in driving sheets. Ever watchful, Sebastian tracked her stare and followed it out the front windows. Turning his attention back to her, he lifted one end of her fluffy knit scarf. His sage eyes sparkled as he gave the plush fabric a twirl and batted her chin with the soft material.

  “Stop worrying about the weather and pick out some books,” he said, leaning over to rest his forehead against hers. “I’m not you, darling. I can drive in the snow.”

  She colored at his playful wink. “I can drive in it,” she stated defensively. “Just not well.”

  His soft chuckle carried through the small space, drawing the attention of a nearby browser and the shopkeeper alike. “That is a bit of an understatement, sweetheart,” he murmured, kissing the tip of her nose.

  She grinned as he gave the back of her neck an affectionate squeeze before letting go.

  “I hear we’re supposed to get another five inches before the night is through.”

  Taylor turned to regard the middle-aged man who’d edged up beside them. His dark hair was swept over in a side part, and his face was rough and reddened with windburn and sun. Pale circles ringed his eyes. Taking note of his colorful parka, she pegged him as a skier. She offered up a polite smile, hoping it made up for the way Sebastian’s eyes narrowed as he studied the man.

  “Is that so?” he asked.

  “Yep, I heard it on the news this morning. I guess it’s one of the benefits of living in Flagstaff. Or a drawback depending on which way you want to look at it.”

  Sebastian gave a curt nod. “Yes, I suppose so.”

  Wrapping his fingers around hers, he led her further down the aisle. The man followed behind.

  “So where are you two from? You just vacationing or are you here to stay?”

  Taylor winced as the grip on her fingers tightened. Peering over her shoulder, she wondered if t
he man was dense or just didn’t care that someone had tried to put a polite end to the discussion. She listened as a quiet sigh of resignation parted the silence.

  “What difference does that make?” Sebastian asked softly. He turned to confront the man with a curious tilt of his head.

  Uncertainty flickered across the stranger’s weathered features. “It doesn’t make any difference, I suppose. I was just trying to make conversation.”

  “Conversation, right,” he stated in a quiet drawl. Sebastian gestured to their surroundings with a sweep of his gloved hand. “Do you always follow strangers around and ask where they live? Or has something about us just piqued your interest to the point where you can’t resist?”

  Paling, the man stepped back. He muttered a brief apology and hurried for the door. Taylor sighed as the overhead bell chimed, swinging back and forth with his departure, and the shopkeeper cast a questioning glance in their direction.

  “You didn’t have to be so mean,” she whispered.

  Sebastian’s forehead knitted, and he blinked with confusion. “I wasn’t mean, darling.”

  “You just scared the hell out of that poor guy!”

  “All I did was ask a question, Taylor,” he said, brushing away a lock of hair beneath her hat.

  She shook her head at his purported innocence. “You have no idea just how intense and intimidating you can be?”

  “Sometimes,” he admitted. She squirmed as he leaned over with a dimpled grin and nuzzled the side of her cheek. “But this wasn’t one of them. I’m actually in a wonderful mood, thanks to you.”

  She warmed, blushing as she felt the weight of the shopkeeper’s curious stare settle over them. As private as he was, in public or not, Sebastian never hesitated to show his affection. That was one of the many things she loved the most about him. It wasn’t groping or lewd, just quiet and subtle. For the most part. Her color deepened as she remembered the night on the observation deck at the hotel. There hadn’t been anyone around, but she’d been too scared, too afraid, to just enjoy the moment and let go. Sebastian had been far from pleased. She could still remember the embarrassment —still feel the cool night air on her thighs and the pain of being so deeply impaled.

  She flushed recalling the lecture that followed: “The next time I try to express my affection I don’t expect to be denied. Is that clear?”

  It was funny how one word, one thought, could lead to another.

  Taylor glanced up at the sweep of fingers across her cheek. Sebastian studied her face. His eyes were gentle but searching.

  “Are you all right, darling?”

  Nodding, she turned her head and kissed the cool, crisp leather covering his hand. “I guess I just got swept away inside my own head,” she admitted with a shy smile.

  Taylor shivered, stomping the snow from her furry Kola boots as they ducked inside the vintage diner. Thick flakes dusted their hats and coats. Outside, both sun and the downtown sector had vanished behind a thick wall of dense grey and swirling white. Still shivering, she watched Sebastian rub his hands together and blow between them in an attempt to ward off the chill. He looked so adorable between the flush of excitement and the boyish shield of his hat. Sensing her attention, he glanced down and offered a dimpled smile above the soft charcoal wrap of his scarf. She leaned against him as he wound an arm around her waist and steered her toward an empty booth. The place was surprisingly vacant. Only a handful of other patrons sat scattered throughout the small establishment, most of them enjoying hot drinks at the counter.

  Sitting down across from him, she tucked her purse beside her and pulled the rich aroma of coffee into her lungs. She glanced up at their waitress as the striking brunette brought them a pair of mugs and menus. The girl returned her grin and blushed as Sebastian nodded in her direction.

  “She thinks you’re cute,” Taylor whispered after the waitress had poured their coffee and promised to check back to get their orders soon.

  His body jerked in a silent show of humor as he browsed the menu. “She doesn’t know me. I’m scary, remember?”

  Flopping against the back of the booth, her laughter rang unchecked. The sound brought his gaze back up to hers and she reveled at the delighted sparkle shimmering in those pale depths.

  “You have your moments,” she confessed. “But you can also be the sweetest, most adorable man on the face of the planet.”

  A light pink flush settled across the tops of his cheeks as Sebastian fought to suppress a smile. “Only in your eyes, darling. Decide what you want to eat.”

  She arched a brow and leaned forward to brace her elbows on the worn Formica table. “Did you just blush?”

  His shoulders shook with a quiet chortle that he tried to mask. “Read the menu, Taylor.”

  Snickering beneath her breath, she glanced over the choices of burgers, sandwiches, soups, and salads. The standard small establishment spread made her think briefly of the diner at the truck stop and Irene. She wondered if they’d be packed on a day like today with truckers riding out the storm, or if it would be a ghost town. It was hard to say. Nibbling her bottom lip, she decided on a smoked turkey club. Sebastian looked a bit more undecided, if not downright worried. Covering her mouth, she tried to shield her amusement.

  “It will be fine,” she whispered. “I promise. It’s just like Cervillo’s, only a little bit cheaper.”

  He looked up and grinned at the memory of their first date. “I’d almost forgotten about that place.”

  Taylor gaped at him and rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. “Come on, now. The food wasn’t that god-awful that you had to try and erase it from your memory.”

  His head fell back with a genuine bark of laughter. “If you say so.”

  She crumpled up a Sweet-N-Low packet and tossed it at him. “You are such a food snob!”

  He laughed even harder. His grin faded as the waitress approached to take their orders. When she disappeared back into the kitchen, his eyes locked with Taylor’s. Leaning across the table, he motioned for her to do the same.

  “Come here,” he ordered, his voice husky and low.

  Tamping down a shiver of apprehension, she questioned the wisdom of chucking a sugar packet and met him halfway. His stoic expression made her heart hammer. Her breath caught as he wrapped a hand around the back of her head. She almost sagged with relief when his face broke into a boyish grin. He dropped a quick kiss on her lips and settled back into his seat with a wink.

  “Behave yourself, baby.”

  Taylor’s cheeks warmed with the soft admonishment. She lowered her lashes in a demure sweep and ducked behind the menu to hide her smile. “Yes, Sebastian. I love you.”

  “Mm. I love you too, sweetheart. More than anything.”

  They ate a light lunch and passed another half hour just sipping coffee and talking. She couldn’t remember ever feeling happier or more content. Her stomach and heart were both full. Best of all, Sebastian seemed so relaxed and at ease. Sometimes, it was amazing what just a few hours away from the stress of work could do for his mood. His phone hadn’t even gone off once since he’d been home. Not so much as a single text had interrupted their time together. Trailing her forefinger around the rim of her mug, she wondered if he’d shut it off. Could he do that? Somehow, she doubted it. Sighing, she pushed the thoughts aside and glanced up to find him staring. A pensive expression played on his face. Despite the sorrowful undercurrent of his expression, his lips curled were curled with a ghost of a smile. At a loss to make heads or tails of the situation, Taylor flashed him a curious look.

  “What?”

  He shook his head. “I was just thinking and enjoying the moment.”

  “What’re you thinking about?”

  “How much I’ve enjoyed being with you,” he admitted quietly. “How wonderful the past five months have been. I don’t know how I ever managed to survive without you.”

  “You seemed to be doing okay,” she teased, trying to keep the mood light.

  Seba
stian nodded. “Yes, but it wasn’t this. It was nothing like this. My entire world consisted of work. Now it consists of you. Everything else is just secondary.”

  “Is that a bad thing?” Her face tightened with worry. She bit her lip when he remained focused on the table, refusing to look her way.

  “No, darling. I would never change a thing about you.” He shook his head again, as if searching for the right thing to say. Tracing a burn ring emblazoned into the speckled pattern on the tabletop, he sighed. “Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder what my life would have been like if I’d stayed with the FBI. What I would have been like.” His shoulders lifted in a depreciating shrug as he twisted the mug between his fingers. “But that was never their intention, and I might not have met you. So, in the end, this is what was meant to be. I don’t regret anything about our life together, Taylor. Not for one minute. Coming across you in the woods that day was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  Reaching across the table, Taylor caressed the top of his hand. “Yeah,” she agreed softly. “Me, too. Even if Josh did shove a shotgun against my face.”

  Sebastian gave a humorless snort. “And to think he is considered the nicer of us two.” His dark golden brows twisted with thought for a moment, then lowered. “Where does that put me?”

  She frowned, wincing at his self-inflicted barb. “Seb…please don’t. You’re a good man.”

  “Don’t patronize me, Taylor. I know what I am.”

  Shifting in the booth, he motioned the waitress over and pulled out his wallet. She watched as he dropped a twenty and a ten on the plastic tray and told the girl to keep the change. Taylor shook her head. He just didn’t get it. He didn’t see the things she did. She’d busted her hump in a place like this, and there were days she would have killed to get a fourteen-dollar tip on a sixteen-dollar bill. The gratitude on the waitress’s face said much the same. Thanking him profusely, the girl hurried behind the counter.