by Joni Hahn
“I’m going stir crazy,” Dylan said, looking for Teague in the crowd of people. “Clint and Mitchell won’t let me do anything. I’ve done all of the studying I can stand.”
He’d made a point of learning how different weapons and field equipment operated so he could recreate them. Puzzles, mechanics and mathematics had always come naturally to him, so studying them held his interest.
It was his ADD that kept him restless.
Whatever, McCall. It’s the memory of Teague Hamilton in those shorts that’s keeping you restless.
“They know what they’re doing.” Saint popped a few almonds in his mouth. “And, we need to know we can trust your enhancement out in the field.”
He got that. It didn’t make waiting around any easier.
“Where’s Mitchell?” Hope glanced around the crowd.
Frowning, Dylan said, “I haven’t seen him since my enhancement trial two days ago. After Teague told us about the nanobots in Cyrus’s clone, he’s been holed up in his office.”
“He should have orders for us anytime now.” Saint took a swig of his beer. “He knows the three of us are chomping at the bit to go after Matheson’s freaks.”
The scents of suntan lotion, chlorine and alcohol wafted around Dylan as his eyes scanned the area for Teague. Why, he didn’t know. She’d had no interest in checking on him throughout his installation and recovery. Her lab sat just doors down from his recovery room, yet she didn’t find the time to visit him.
Hope leaned against Jaydan. “My father called earlier today, inviting us, and Teague, to our place in Colorado Springs.”
Dylan shook his head. “No way in hell. Teague isn’t leaving the compound until I know it’s safe.”
Jaydan stared at him with raised brows. “Damn, McCall, you act like you own her.”
Teague entered the indoor pool area with one of the male scientists, passing through to the outdoors. She wore a black swimsuit with a flowered skirt wrapped around her hips, a clip holding the mass of hair on top of her head.
Relaxed and smiling, she looked like a panther at play, sleek, dark and mysterious. He knew better than anyone to approach with caution or risk her claws.
Why did she hide all of that beauty behind her glasses and conservative clothes?
“Damn, McCall, snooze you lose,” Jaydan said, as they watched her cross the room.
“Lose is not part of my vocabulary,” Dylan said, as he watched her stop at a group of her co-workers on the far side.
His fists clenched at his sides. She didn’t even see him. He stood in the same room and she didn’t so much as glance his way. His pride had never taken such a hit.
Well, two could do this shit.
“Where are you going?” Jaydan said, laughter in his voice.
“If Hope thought I was a hottie before,” he said, nodding at Jaydan’s fiancée, “With these armbands, I’m bound to be smokin’ now.” He gave Hope a quick wink.
Jaydan glared at him.
“You’d better run, McCall,” Saint said, with laughter in his voice. “He’s been eating carbs all day.”
“I don’t run from anyone.” The nanobots rushed to his palm. He tossed a roll of duct tape at Saint. “Feel free to re-gift to Rose.”
Laughter followed him as he walked around the pool. Stopping to flirt with a group of women, his eyes strayed to Teague. Hell, she still hadn’t noticed him.
Face it, McCall. She never looks at you unless you force it.
That realization took him aback. It was true. She never looked at him. Her eyes were always diverted. Did she really find him that… unappealing?
When she kissed him, her mouth was hungry, ravenous, like she wanted to devour him. Yet, their kisses were forgettable enough that she didn’t come back around?
His ego felt like a damned punching bag.
Hands on hips, he studied her. She touched one agent’s arm, then allowed a medical doctor to hook an arm around her shoulders in a quick hug.
He had women all around him, but he obsessed over the one that stood across the pool. What the hell was wrong with him?
Turning away from Teague’s laughter – laughter – he threw himself into Casanova mode, explaining the nuances of his new enhancement and teasing the women.
Boring.
He wanted to stand beside Teague, inhaling the scent of mountain laurels and listening to her give some poor sap the what for when he talked out of his ass.
A reluctant grin split his face. It would probably be him.
Could that be it? Maybe he wasn’t smart enough for her exceptional mind. Maybe she did need someone like Clint Robinson to feel a true connection, a soul mate.
You want a soul mate, McCall?
Squeezing his eyes shut, he shook his head. Hell, no. He did not want a soul mate. His new armbands were his soul mates. Together, they would destroy Cyrus Matheson’s new world.
One of the women squeezed his bicep, her look heavy-lidded and voracious. He could have her. It would only take a squeeze of her hand and she would be putty in his.
He glanced across the pool. Teague removed the skirt from around her waist and let it drop to the concrete. The low-cut swimsuit was modest by today’s standards, the solid black material fitting her curves like a second skin.
She turned around. Curse words exploded in his head at the sight of her perfect, round ass almost completely exposed in the skimpy suit, her tattoo clearly visible to the men standing around her.
Freaking hell. He’d wanted to be the first to see it.
What makes you think she hasn’t shown it to someone already?
Nanobots skittered down his body, forming an image of Teague beside him. The women squealed in amusement.
Shaking his head to clear it, the nanobots skittered back into his armband before they could form her body. Damn, that’s all he needed was for everyone to know he lusted after the one woman that didn’t want him.
Thought lose wasn’t part of your vocabulary, McCall?
Leaving the women mid-conversation, he headed toward her. His mind told him foolish didn’t begin to describe his actions, while his stubborn libido steered him closer.
One of the lab techs pushed Teague into the pool, along with two others. Breaking the water, her dark hair fell down her back in a shiny curtain, her clip lost in the water. Amid laughter, she swam through the volleyball game, toward the indoor pool, a dark mermaid in the pale pool lights. She stopped beside Jaydan and the others, giving him time to gain on her by foot, before she dove under again and headed indoors.
“Well, look who’s chasing whom…” Hope said, with a knowing grin, as he drew closer.
The others laughed. He tossed another role of duct tape on the table.
“Dylan…”
He whipped around. Teague’s voice barely carried over the noise of the party.
It was the anguish that caught his ear.
Diving into the pool, he shot through the water. He found her on the opposite side, leaning her head against the edge.
“Baby, are you okay?” He turned her around to face him.
“Please go away.” She leaned her forehead against his chest.
“Okay, I’m outta here.” Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her hair. Her soft breasts pressed against him, her sleek hair catching on his chin.
Her arms snaked around his waist, the water lapping at their chests. Worry lanced through him. If he knew what she was dealing with, he could help her. He may not be a medical doctor, but he could prepare for situations like this, and the other day in the lab.
“Tell me what’s going on, Teague.”
Raising her head, she gave him a soft kiss. His body heated in the cool water.
“You’re not going to distract me again. Tell me what’s going on.”
Her grey eyes were luminous against the dim lights below the water’s surface. “No.”
Stepping away, she squeezed her eyes shut and braced her hand on the edge of the pool.
He turned her back around. “You’re not leaving until I get an answer.”
Her dark brows dipped into a V on her forehead. “I don’t have to tell you anything.”
The denial struck as sure as if she’d hit him across the head with his old surfboard. “Then don’t call me next time you need help.”
Her watery eyes wounded him worse than any blow she could’ve dealt to his ego. “I won’t.” She swam away from him, her hand on the edge of the pool.
Diving under, he sprang up in front of her. She stopped short.
“Go back to the party, Dylan.” She ducked around him.
He held out an arm to block her. “I didn’t mean it.”
He said the words, knowing she wouldn’t believe him. Knowing, he would give his life for her in a heartbeat.
“I’ve been on my own all of my life. I don’t need you, or anyone else.” Her voice cracked before she dove under the water.
Following her to the opposite end, he broke water beside her. “That’s the problem, Teague. You won’t let me in.”
Brushing the water from her face, she whipped around. “Why do you want in? That’s the real question, Dylan.” Lowering her voice, she said, “Remember, I’m the one that went to work for Cyrus. The one that works with his technology, the one that knows it all.”
Shutting her eyes, she lowered her voice. “My intelligence, my work, is all I have. I know I’m no beauty, and I have the personality of a rock. But, I’ll be damned if I’ll let you take the one thing from me that I do have.”
Shock rendered him speechless. She thought she wasn’t beautiful? She thought she was boring?
Really?
Good God, someone had done a number on her.
He turned her to look at him. “You’re wrong Teague.”
She gave him a patronizing chuckle. “About which part, Dylan?”
“All of it.”
Searching his gaze, she swallowed hard before walking up the steps and out of the pool. Staring up at her, he finally got to see her tattoo.
Destiny’s Child was stamped in a simple font on her smooth butt cheek, sunrays shining from a bank of clouds behind it. For a straight-laced, conservative doctor, that tattoo rang of wild child.
Grabbing a towel from a nearby stand, she walked away. He jumped out of the pool and grabbed a towel before rushing to catch up with her.
“Get the hint, Dylan. I’m not caving.”
“Neither am I.” He dabbed his face with the towel.
She whipped around, her gray eyes blazing. Soaking wet and angry, Teague Hamilton turned him on like a gas stove. Instant fire.
“You don’t know what it means to be turned down by a woman, do you?”
He yanked her against him, beads of water sizzling along their heated bodies. “No, and I’m not about to start now.”
Crushing his mouth to hers, he plundered deep, demanding entrance. He’d had all he would take with Teague and her damned pride. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him with that same wild abandon, her hot, wet body plastered against his. Friction crackled between them, suction forbidding them to part.
His need for her daring anyone to try.
She did.
Shoving away from him, she stumbled and caught herself on a nearby chair. She shook her head and backed away from him.
“No, Dylan.”
He stepped toward her. “Yes, Teague.”
“I don’t want you.” She lifted her chin and backed up a step.
His pride winced at her words, but he refused to believe them after that kiss. He stepped around the chair.
“Yes, you do.”
She gave a bark of incredulous laughter. “Your conceit is astounding.”
“So is your denial.”
Her mouth dropped open. She held out her hands to block him. “What makes you think I want you?”
Stopping short, his eyes widened. “That kiss, for one.”
Her cheeks took on a rosy hue. “I pushed you away.”
“Care for me to try it again?” He cocked an eyebrow.
“No.” Letting out a deep breath, she spoke in a low voice. “Look, Dylan… I hate to bruise your ego, but I don’t want anything between us, okay? Can you please respect that? We have to work together.”
Her serious tone made him pause. Maybe she told the truth. Maybe she found him attractive, but he didn’t offer anything more. Perhaps, she really did want someone on a higher intellectual level, someone that shared her studious, conservative ways. Not a hyperactive, long-haired flirt that lived for adventure.
Maybe, he just didn’t have the mind muscle she needed to consider him a serious candidate.
He thought he’d put the doubts behind him. That qualifying for D.I.R.E.’s super agent squad had squashed the voices in his head. His father’s words telling him he didn’t have what it took to be a Marine. His mother telling him he’d have to learn to sit still if he wanted to make the Corp. His grandfather telling him he’d surely get himself shot before he saw him again.
Staring down at the water droplets on his bare feet, Dylan knew he was good enough for the D.I.R.E. squad. He would give his all two hundred percent of the time, and would protect his teammates until his dying breath.
He just wished the people he cared about knew it, too.
In the meantime, what did it matter, really? There were dozens of available women at the compound. Why would he beat himself up over one that couldn’t see beyond the dramatic, upward slope of her nose?
“Fine by me, Dr. Hamilton.” Turning around, he walked backward. “And for the record, if my gut is right, we won’t be working together long, anyway.”
Chapter 6
Sitting on her balcony, Teague took a sip of wine as she stared at the desert sunset. “How are things going at the lab, Amy?”
She knew D.I.R.E. listened in on her conversation, but she didn’t give a rat’s ass at the moment. She’d just rejected the most brave, beautiful, vibrant man she’d ever met. Nothing could make her feel lower than she did at the moment.
“Chaotic. Boring. Weird.” Amy sighed into the phone. “I miss having you around, T.”
She missed Amy, too. Around her best friend, she could say anything, do anything and she would never judge her.
Taking another sip of Merlot, she pulled up her legs on the chair. “I miss you, too, Amy.” She tried to lighten her mood, though her heart felt like someone had put a lead weight inside it. “So, start with chaotic. What’s going on?”
Her sigh sounded like gale force winds blowing over the airways. “No one realized how much you did until you left. Dr. Capri’s been delegating duties right and left - when he’s not hiding in his office.”
Frowning, Teague said, “Hiding in his office? Why?”
“That’s the weird part,” she said. “A couple of days after you left, he got a phone call that upset him. He even came and asked me if I knew whether your mobile number was still working.”
Holding the phone away from her ear, Teague checked the call log. No missed calls. D.I.R.E. must be blocking access.
“The reception is bad here. They didn’t go through.”
“In Hawaii?” she said, crunching on cheese puffs. Teague had learned the sound well over the years.
She had no idea if Mitchell wanted her to reveal that she now worked for D.I.R.E. They’d never discussed it. Then again, he’d probably assumed she had no friends.
“Tell Dr. C I’ll try to call him tomorrow.”
“Good,” she said, on a sigh of relief. “He’s making all of us a nervous wreck.”
Working with Dr. Capri for most of her life, Teague had learned to counteract his conniptions with calm reasoning. He always seemed to work like the devil snapped at his tail, on the go and always behind. If she hadn’t found a way to offset his fits, she would’ve been on Valium at the age of sixteen.
“How have you been feeling, T?”
Tonight in the pool, the double vision had worsened. Her diaphra
gm had tightened in a painful grip, leaving her dead in the water. Despite her medication, she knew her symptoms came and went with anxiety. Dylan’s strong hold had brought her momentary peace and given her a chance to ride out the initial storm.
Fatigue always plagued her, while the MS hugs and double vision dropped in on her at will, but never more persistently as since her arrival at D.I.R.E. She had to find a way to reduce her stress. However, until she corrected her DNA and put distance between her and Dylan, the self-induced pressure would remain.
Her long nights in the lab were paying off. She was close to perfecting her genes. However, the sleep deprivation wasn’t helping matters.
“I’m tired, Amy, but okay.”
“Are you getting enough rest, T? Or, are you working twenty-two hours a day and sleeping two?”
She hesitated. “I’m… sleeping… About four hours a day.”
“T,” she said, her voice laced with exasperation. “You have to get eight hours of sleep a night. You know that.”
“I’m busy, Amy.” She took another sip of wine.
“Lame, Hamilton.” Her voice turned light with humor. “Now, if you told me you were out with some hot guy, then I might consider that a good excuse.”
Teague furrowed her brow, stifling a wince. Dylan had been a distraction she’d never considered. When he wasn’t around, he consumed her thoughts and her dreams – when she slept.
Which proved she was a monumental fool. She may have told him to leave her alone, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t bug her, distract her… arouse her. When she was in his arms, she believed she was beautiful. Her MS faded into nothingness, her DNA and goals, back burner.
Teague laughed it off. “Yeah, no such luck, Amy. Maybe my next life.”
“Come on, Teague,” she said, as though mustering patience. “We had this discussion. Don’t tell me you’re hiding behind your electron microscope and MS? Do I have to order you to tape your Miss July picture to the mirror again?”
“Amy,” she said, with a shake of her head, “that was twelve years ago and pre-MS. Plus, they did a lot of airbrushing on that picture.”
