by Elle James
Diesel had taken French in high school, but he could only pick up on a few words. One of them being brother and the other being go.
He knew the president of the DRC had a brother who’d planned to run in the next election. It appeared the brother hadn’t been invited to the social and was attempting to crash the party.
The president excused himself from the people gathered around him and walked across the floor and out the door with his brother.
Diesel joined Reese and Klein.
“Well, that wasn’t helpful,” Ferrence complained. “I wanted to speak with the president since I couldn’t get a meeting alone with him while I’m here.”
“Why are you so intent on meeting with the president?” Diesel asked.
“The mines in the Congo are rich with minerals everyone in the world wants,” Ferrence said, his voice hushed in the crowded room. “We need to make sure we have a stake in the mining industry. The Russians and Chinese have been funding development of the mining operations. We can’t let them take everything. We need the copper, gold and other minerals for our own country’s needs.”
Diesel watched the door, waiting for the president’s return. “And what does that have to do with the US?”
“We suspect President Jean-Paul Sabando sold half the interest in one of the major copper mines to an undisclosed party,” Reese continued. “Ferrence is here to find out if he sold it and to whom.”
“And if he did, then what?” Diesel asked.
“We attempt to find out who has it and try to purchase it from them.”
“Since when does the US negotiate purchases of mine interests with foreign countries?”
“Since we need those minerals in the production of our weapons,” Klein said. “And the US won’t be the ones to purchase the interest. It would be one of our primes who provide the materials we need for weapons production.”
“The president’s brother, Lawrence Sabando, is running on the platform of returning the profits to the people of the DRC,” Klein said. “Rumor has it he’s got the backing of Bosco Mutombo, one of the major warlords responsible for attacks on the mine.”
“Bosco Mutombo?” Reese frowned. “I could swear he was in charge of the men who abducted us.”
Klein’s brows drew together. “In which case, we’re lucky to be here.”
Reese’s lips thinned. “Luck had nothing to do with it. Diesel and his men got us out of there.”
Klein nodded. “Yes, yes, of course.”
“And Lawrence decided it was a good idea to crash his brother’s party?” Diesel shook his head. “Sounds like a recipe for trouble.”
Klein craned his neck to see over the crowd, watching the entrance for the president’s return. “Like I said, there was an incident involving Molotov cocktails last night at a building not far from here.”
“What building?” Reese asked.
“The headquarters of Metro Mining Company, one of the state-owned mining companies of the DRC,” Klein said. “They are responsible for the mining of the copper mine the president sold half interest in.”
Diesel shook his head. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to be in the DRC right now?”
“I’m here on my father’s behalf to establish a conversation with the president.” Klein lifted his chin. “My father would be here, but he’s tied up with the troubles in Libya. The US president wanted him in Washington if anything broke out.”
“So you’re here, in a hostile environment and have already been kidnapped once by Congolese rebels and held for ransom.” Diesel didn’t like it. “Why?”
“From what my father told me, they were demanding a lot of money. Money the US government could have handed over to free me. I suspect they wanted the money to fund their supplies to keep up the fight.” Klein stood straighter. “As far as President Sabando is concerned, I was never kidnapped or held for ransom. My father didn’t want to give the rebels any more credit than we can help.”
“Okay,” Diesel said, “But what’s to keep the rebels from making another attempt on your life, or one of the other delegates here for the convention?”
“I’m glad you asked.” Klein gave him a hint of a smile. “Since you insisted on coming to this social, it’s given me an idea. I’ll work with my father to see if we can get more help here to protect the people at the convention. Of course, whoever helps would have to be undercover. We couldn’t let Sabando catch wind we don’t trust his security forces. I bet my father could get the team that rescued me to provide the support we need for tomorrow.”
“Only if we get on the phone now. It takes time to get them from where they are to Kinshasa, and they’ll need appropriate attire for the mission. Combat gear would be a dead giveaway.” Diesel’s brows pulled together as he worked through the logistics in his head.
“I’ll see what I can do to make it happen.” Klein pulled out a shiny new cell phone and walked off to a deserted corner of the ballroom to place his call.
Reese and Diesel followed, but stood far enough away to give the man privacy for his call.
“Do you think your team could be here and in place by tomorrow?” Reese asked.
“You’d be surprised how fast they can deploy. And since they’re already on this continent, they could be here by morning.”
Klein rejoined them, his lips forming a thin line. “It’s done. Your team should be receiving orders within the hour.”
Chapter Eight
Reese was beginning to think they’d bit off more than they could chew in the DRC. With warring factions pushing the limits and warlords looking for ways to fund their war machines, Ferrence Klein, the son of the US Secretary of Defense, was a prime target.
Her experience as both a soldier and an MMA fighter would be precious little protection if they were cornered again by Congolese rebels.
President Sabando didn’t return to the social event. After waiting for him for the next hour following his departure, Klein called it a night.
Fortunately, he and Reese had rooms on the same floor. His room directly across the hallway from Reese’s made it possible for her to hear if he was being attacked. On the other hand, he was right across the hall from her. Which meant little privacy. The three of them rode the elevator up to their floor. When they reached Klein’s door, Diesel asked for his key.
Klein frowned. “Why?”
“Let me make sure your room hasn’t been compromised. Anyone of the maintenance staff could let himself in. And they could have been bribed to let someone else in.”
Klein handed over his key and waited in the hallway with Reese as Diesel searched his room for intruders or booby traps.
When he emerged, he handed the key to Klein. “I’ll be across the hall if you should need me. Lock the dead bolt and don’t answer the door unless it’s one of us.”
“I arrived before you two,” Klein said. “You’d think if anyone was going to do something, they already would have.”
“Except Diesel’s team got you out of the jungle with the express purpose of keeping your rescue on the down low,” Reese reminded him. “If the same folks who ordered the kidnapping were going to sabotage your room, they wouldn’t have known you’d show up when you did. They might still have been under the impression you were secured in the jungle somewhere.”
“No one was expecting you to arrive,” Diesel said. “Now that you’ve shown your face at a gathering, they’ll know you escaped. You’re back to being a target.”
“Great.” Klein shook his head. “I guess I’ll be sleeping with one eye open tonight.”
“Again, we’re across the hallway.”
“Why not stay in my suite?” Klein suggested.
Reese held her breath. It made sense to have Diesel stay with the Secretary of Defense’s son. But she didn’t want him to. She wanted him in her room, doing what he’d done earlier, and more.
Diesel shook his head. “We set the precedent. I’m here as Miss Brantley’s fiancé. If you suspect someone is trying to break in, and
you think I won’t hear it, you can call. I’ll be there.”
Klein nodded. “Okay, then. I’ll see you two in the morning.” His eyes narrowed. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Reese refused to rise to his taunt and smiled as the man closed the door. “Which means the sky’s the limit,” she muttered and turned with her key to open the door to her suite.
As soon as she crossed the threshold, butterflies erupted in her belly, and her body tingled all over. She was alone with Diesel, and they weren’t being shot at or threatened by a troop of gorillas. The possibilities exploded in her head, and her core heated.
She didn’t turn around, afraid Diesel would see the desire in her eyes. What if he wasn’t feeling it as deeply as she was?
She heard the door close behind her and felt a hand catch hold of hers, spinning her around.
“Come here,” he said, his voice low, throaty and sexy as hell, melting every bone in her body. How did he do that?
Reese hadn’t been with a man in so long... She tried not to think about the last time. She’d been raped by Taliban fighters. As far as she was concerned, it didn’t count. She pushed the memories to the back of her mind and concentrated on the real electricity firing off all of her nerve synapses, sending fire to her center.
And took back ownership of her body.
Since her abuse at the hands of the Taliban, she’d thought she wasn’t capable of feeling the intensity of lust and desire. “I was wrong. So very wrong,” she whispered.
His head dipping low, Diesel stopped before his lips reached hers. “Wrong?” He leaned back and stared into her eyes, his brows knitting. “Did I read you wrong? Are you not feeling what I’m feeling?”
She laughed and wrapped her hands around the back of his head and pulled him down for a quick kiss, before saying, “No. I was wrong. I thought I would never feel what I’m feeling now.”
“And what are you feeling?” he asked, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
She drew in a deep breath and let it out. She told herself that he wouldn’t be holding her like he was if he didn’t feel the same. “Every cell in my body is on fire.”
“I hope in a good way.” He brushed his lips across her forehead.
“Only the best.” She smiled up at him, but the smile faded. “You need to know something, though.”
“Shoot. After our trek through the jungle, and facing the wrath of a giant gorilla, I think I can handle just about anything.”
Reese dipped her head and stared at the tips of her toes in the stilettoes. “I haven’t had sex with anyone since I was a Taliban captive.”
Diesel drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then he gathered her in his arms and held her, stroking the back of her head, his lips pressed to her temple. “Sweetheart, if I could, I’d kill every one of those bastards.”
“You and me both.” She laid her cheek against his chest and listened to the beat of his heart. “When I was liberated, the army ran me through all the tests for STDs. I’m clean, but because of how rough they treated me, I’m damaged. Remember, I told you before, I’ll never have children.”
“Oh, Reese, darlin’, you’re not damaged. You’re perfect. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.” He tilted her chin up and stared into her eyes. “You’re strong, brave and you have a big heart.” He smiled down at her. “In my eyes, that’s perfect.”
“I always felt dirty after that.” Her eyes filled with tears, but she managed to grin. “Until I showered earlier, I hadn’t realized how much cleaner I’ve felt since I met you. Inside and out. And you’re making me feel things I never thought I would feel ever again.”
“Like you’re on fire?”
She nodded. “Like a flame is burning inside, making my blood warm and my heart beat faster. Please tell me I’m not silly. Am I the only person who has ever felt like this?”
“No, you’re not.” He threaded his fingers through her hair and brushed his lips across hers. “I’m feeling it, too. It’s like electricity is humming through my body, and it’s all because of you. I can’t seem to get close enough to you.”
Reese knew exactly what he meant. Their bodies touched from their lips to their thighs but it wasn’t enough. She wanted to be closer.
But first...the kiss.
He claimed her mouth, thrusting his tongue between her teeth to sweep alongside hers, caressing it in long, slow swirls.
Reese gave as good as she got, wrapping her hands behind his head, threading her fingers through his short hair. The longer the kiss went on, the weaker her knees became. She wrapped a leg around his, rubbing her aching center against his thick, muscular thigh. She wanted him inside her, filling the emptiness that had been with her since she’d left the military.
When Diesel broke the seal of their kiss, he pressed his forehead to hers.
Reese dragged in breaths, filling her lungs. Her heart raced and her knees wobbled. This man had such a profound effect on her, she couldn’t control her reaction. Before she could think or talk herself out of it, she pushed his jacket off his shoulders. By the time the garment hit the floor, her hands had moved to the buttons on his shirt, sliding them through the holes, her fingers shaking, eager, desperate to reach the skin beneath.
When one button got stuck, she tore at it.
“Hey.” He chuckled and laid a hand over hers. “I need this shirt for tomorrow.”
“Sorry. It’s just...you have on too many clothes.” She glanced up at his face, her brows drawing together. “Are you just going to stand there and make me do all the work?” She brushed his hand aside and attacked the button again. “I can’t get you naked fast enough,” she muttered beneath her breath.
“Sweetheart, we have all night.” He pushed her hand aside and deftly flicked the button through the hole. He repeated the action with the next three buttons, his motion pulling the shirttail out of the waistband of his trousers.
Reese was already working on the button on his trousers. She then proceeded to slide the zipper down.
His shaft jutted out of the opening into her palm, and she looked up, giving him what had to be a goofy smile. “Commando?”
“Always,” he said.
“I should have guessed.” She wrapped her hand around his length and tried to remember to breathe. This was what she wanted, him naked, inside her, thrusting, filling, becoming a part of her. She hooked her thumbs in the waistband of his trousers and shoved them down his legs. God, she hoped she didn’t freeze at the wrong moment. Deep inside, she knew she was ready, but that PTSD stuff had a bad habit of debilitating her when she least expected. A sexual situation would be the most likely to trigger her into a downward spiral.
Diesel toed off his shoes, bent to remove his socks and stood in front of her completely naked. He was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen.
He arched his brows. “You’re overdressed for the occasion.”
Trying not to salivate, Reese turned her back to him, her entire body shaking.
His fingers curled around her shoulders, and he pulled her back against his front, his staff pressing against her bottom. “Tell me if I move too fast. Just say no, and I’ll stop.”
“Are you kidding me?” She laughed shakily. “I just stripped the clothes off your body. Does that say no to you?” Dear sweet heaven she wanted him, and he was taking far too long to get her naked.
His hands slid downward, gripped the zip on the back of her dress and lowered it to the base of her spine. She tilted her head back, letting her hair brush across her back, liking the way it felt.
Then he skimmed her shoulder blades with his fingertips and slipped them beneath the straps, inching them over her shoulders. The little black dress slid down to pool at her hips.
Diesel leaned over and kissed the curve of her neck, pushing her hair aside to nibble on her earlobe.
Reese shivered and leaned her head to the side, giving him full access to her neck. He accepted the invitation and laid a trail of kis
ses along the length and back to the curve of her shoulder. Meanwhile his fingers lowered to the clasp of her bra, and he unhooked it.
Tied in knots and eager to get the show on the road, Reese shrugged out of the bra and let it slide down her arms to the floor. Then she raised her hands to the dress gathered around her waist.
Diesel beat her to it and pushed the dress over the swell of her bottom, slowly, letting his hands ride down her hips until the dress slipped to the floor in a puddle of black fabric.
He hooked his thumbs into the elastic of her panties and dragged them down her legs, going down on one knee to reach her ankles.
When she stepped out of them, she started to reach for the clasp on her shoes.
“Don’t,” he said and pressed a kiss to one of her lower cheeks, and then the other. Rising, as if in slow motion, he kissed the small of her back and dragged his hands up her thighs to rest on her hips.
His shaft pressed against her bottom, hard, thick and hot.
“I can’t wait any longer,” she whispered, her core so hot, she feared she’d spontaneously combust before they actually made it to the bed.
“Me either.” Then he scooped her up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom.
This was it, this would be her first time since...
And her only thought was if it felt this good now, it could only be better when he finally came inside her.
* * *
DIESEL LAID HER on the edge of the bed, parted her knees and hooked his arms beneath her thighs. He wanted to thrust into her, hard, fast and all the way to the hilt. But this woman had suffered at the hands of their enemy. A horrible, tragic abuse of her body. She needed to know it didn’t have to be that way. He wanted her to know and feel how good making love was when the person doing it cared.
Drawing in a deep breath, he released her thighs and bent over her to kiss her lips, long, slow and gentle. He’d bring her to the brink, to that pinnacle of desire before he slaked his own.
Reese wrapped her arms around his neck, arched her back and pressed her breasts to his chest.
She was going to make it hard for him to hold back.
