Time Thief (The Anomaly Trilogy)

by Hackett, Anna

  Sean had learned everything about her over the last few months. Watching her from afar, studying the places she’d stayed, analyzing her moves. But he’d avoided ever finding out her name.

  A part of him had been so angry that he wanted to fuck a time thief.

  Now she wasn’t the enemy.

  And he didn’t want to fuck her. He wanted more.

  She was someone who understood his pain. Someone he wanted to take care of. He knew she was more than capable of caring for herself, but that made him want to look after her even more.

  She was injured from saving his life and here he was trying to get her naked. He cursed himself. She’d spent her whole life having everything taken from her…he wouldn’t be another bastard trying to take more.

  Damn you, Leven. Anger licked Sean’s insides. The bastard was evil. He’d destroyed Bay’s family, murdered Sean’s team. God, Leven must have laughed at having Sean work for him. Well, Sean would make sure Leven never laughed again. Just like his team wouldn’t, either.

  Sean dropped onto the bed, his head in his hands. His stomach was kinked into a thousand sharp knots. He wanted to hurt Leven, wanted to beat the guy bloody.

  This damn anger was going to consume him. He clenched his hands into fists against his temples. It would burn him up from the inside out.

  He didn’t give a shit. If he died going after Leven, he didn’t care.

  The bed dipped. A brush of skin against him. “Sean?”

  Her voice was like a breath of cool mist. Her wet hair framed her face and she was only wrapped in a towel.

  His gaze traced her bare shoulders. Slim, but toned. Her legs were curled beneath her.

  The emotion in him morphed into white-hot desire. He wanted to rip that towel away, throw her on the bed and forget everything.

  No. He’d take care of her, even if he suffered in the process. He ripped his gaze away and stared at the wall. “Feeling better?”

  “Shoulder’s much better.” She pressed a hand to his thigh. “You okay?”

  “No.” And her being so close wasn’t helping. His already tense muscles turned rock hard.

  “I know I’m not one to talk about letting things go, but you need to control what you’re feeling.”

  Right. That was like asking him to stop a river in flood. He ran a hand through his hair. Jesus, she smelled so good. Clean and fresh with a hint of something…lemon maybe.

  “It’ll eat away at you otherwise. And you’ll make a mistake that’ll get you killed.” Her moss-green eyes were steady. Understanding. With her hair slicked back, she looked younger, softer.

  “Talking from experience?”

  A quick nod. “After my family…I ran. But I burned with the need to kill Leven.” She sucked in a breath. “I heard he was in Chicago. He owns a strip club there. I snuck in and surprised him while he was getting a lap dance.”

  Obviously Leven hadn’t grieved long. “You attacked him?”

  “Scared the stripper off and got my chance to choke the bastard. With my shoelace.” Bay shook her head. “I was so young, and running on adrenaline and anger.”

  “Bad combo.” He’d seen soldiers in battle do the same. They made stupid mistakes that risked not only their lives, but the lives of those around them.

  “I almost killed him, but his guards stormed in. Started beating me. And Leven stood there, blood running down his neck, telling me how he was going to keep me chained up. Force me to steal time for him. Let his men have me whenever they wanted.”

  Sean’s jaw clenched. She’d been no more than a kid! Leven would pay, over and over.

  “Hey.” She pressed her hand to Sean’s other thigh. Her fingers massaged his tense flesh. “I didn’t tell you to make you angrier. I got away when they tried to stuff me in a van. After that, I knew I needed to cool off. To plan. And I realized I didn’t want to just kill him, I want to make him miserable before I eventually take his life.”

  She was so beautiful. Her pretty, earnest face, her green eyes and her ferocious spirit. Even talking about murder, Sean wanted her so badly.

  “Sean?”

  Something in him was drawn to her, begged him to lose himself in her. For a few hours. Days. Hell, maybe longer.

  He wanted to forget blood and death, forget revenge and feel something clean and fresh.

  She’s hurt, remember? He jerked to his feet. “I’m going to hit the shower.”

  Something moved in her eyes and her cheeks flushed. She stood and her towel slipped. His heart clenched.

  She tightened the towel with a quick hand. “Right. I’ll just…get dressed. I’m sorry for getting too close and about before in the bathroom. I know you’d never want a time thief.”

  He had a painful hard-on and she thought he didn’t want her? “You don’t know anything.”

  He wanted to prove her wrong, but the need to look after her was stronger. He forced himself to head for the bathroom.

  Chapter Six

  Bay stood in the middle of the bedroom waiting for her flushed cheeks to cool. Her instinct was to run. Get away from Sean Archer and his compelling gray eyes.

  She grabbed the clothes Matt had left. Too big for her but they’d do for now. Sean was drowning in his guilt, anger and sorrow. One of these days it would overrun his military self-control and get him killed.

  Oh, but she understood. Her hands dropped to her sides. She’d been in his shoes, was still there. Living and breathing for the chance to make Gabriel Leven pay.

  They were certainly a pair.

  “You don’t know anything.” Had he meant what she thought he meant?

  She let her instincts take over. The man was definitely attracted to her. Time thief or not. She fiddled with the edge of the towel. Even now her breasts felt full, her nipples hard, just from being close to him. Remembering his caresses.

  Just get dressed, Bay. Leave him to his demons. She chewed on her lip.

  She couldn’t leave him. For lots of reasons, but only one mattered the most. She wanted him. For the first time in years, she wanted something just for herself.

  Letting the towel drop, she headed for the bathroom.

  Steam clouded the room. His strong silhouette showed through the glass of the shower stall. One hand was pressed to the tiles, his head down, hot water pounding over him.

  When she opened the shower door, his head shot up.

  Boiling gray eyes widened but he didn’t say anything. His gaze drifted down her naked body, lingering. Where he looked, she burned for his touch.

  But he didn’t touch. Didn’t close the distance.

  So she did.

  She stepped inside, the hot spray hitting her skin. She took her time studying his battle-scarred body. He was tanned skin over tight muscles. He had several older white scars and one newly healed pink one on his chest. Wide shoulders narrowed to trim hips and a heavily ridged stomach. Below that, his thick erection jutted between muscular thighs.

  “You need me,” she said.

  “But you don’t need me.” His hands curled into fists. “You should be resting.”

  “I know my strength, Sean. I’m fine.” She ran a finger down the center of his chest. Touched the ridge of his scar. “Why don’t we forget for a while?”

  His face contorted. “You just want to fuck? Go at it like bunnies?”

  He was still trying to run her off. “No. I want to touch you, pleasure you. Remind you that there’s more than anger and hatred.”

  The tendons in his neck strained.

  “I get a regular birth control shot.” No way she’d risk bringing a child into her crazy life. “And I’m healthy.”

  He sucked in a deep breath. “Me too.”

  “You have to say yes.” She wouldn’t make it too easy on him. “Tell me yes, Sean.”

  A muscle in his jaw worked and his knuckles turned white. Then fire ignited in his eyes. “Yes.”

  She wanted to rush. To grab at him and let the molten desire loose. She’d always admired his
looks, even when he’d been hunting her. But now she knew the damaged man beneath the hard exterior.

  But she wouldn’t rush. She wanted to give him more. She wanted to ease his pain for a little while.

  And ease her own.

  She moved close to him, the hot water pouring over them both, slick skin pressed to slick skin. She slid her hands into the tawny strands of his hair.

  His mouth pressed to her temple. His lips moved down her cheek, then claimed her mouth.

  She moaned in pleasure and ran her hands along his side. He gripped her thigh, lifted it to wrap around his hip. His erection pressed hard into her belly.

  “Shoulder okay?”

  The man was too caring for his own good. “Fine.”

  “You feel good.” His hands slid under her bottom. “I’ve fantasized plenty about these lithe legs of yours.”

  “I’m short.” Her voice was breathy.

  He eased her back against the tiles and the shock of cool ceramic was a stark contrast to the hot male pressed against her.

  “You’re just right.” His mouth travelled to her ear. He nipped at her sensitive lobe before setting his teeth against the tendons of her neck.

  Sensation tore through her and she tilted her head to the side to give him better access.

  “I want more.” His words were deep, torn from him.

  When he broke contact, she made a sound of protest. “I want to touch you. Drive you crazy.”

  His callused hands closed over her breasts and all thoughts rushed from her head. He flicked a thumb over her nipple.

  “You are driving me crazy. And what I want is to taste you. All of you.”

  That was all the warning she got. He dropped to his knees. His hands weren’t gentle as they nudged her legs apart.

  Then his mouth was on her.

  Her head rapped back against the tiles. Pleasure, hot and intense, roared through her, leaving her panting. He wasn’t soft or timid. He lapped at her, driving her higher and higher.

  “Sean.” She gripped his shoulders to stay upright. Her knees had melted and her belly was tingling. She felt her muscles tightening, control slipping away.

  She never let herself get out of control.

  “Let go, Bay. I’ll catch you.”

  She looked down into his tough face. His eyes burned. For her. He wasn’t thinking of the past or the present. What she was or wasn’t. Just the here and now and the desire between them.

  This man had saved her today—more than once. He knew what she’d suffered. She was shocked to realize that after such a short time together, she trusted him.

  She let her muscles relax and gave herself up to him.

  Another bold caress of his mouth and Bay splintered. The pleasure poured through her—hot, liquid, intoxicating. When her legs gave way, Sean caught her, as promised.

  ***

  Sean was shaking.

  He’d been outnumbered in fights, jumped from planes at low altitude and fought for his life too many times to count. Never once had he lost his cool like this.

  This woman brought him to his knees and left him wanting.

  Water still poured over them. He stroked her good shoulder, watching until her eyes fluttered open. They were still a little unfocused, but she smiled at him.

  “We aren’t finished yet,” he growled.

  Her smile widened. “I hope not. I want you inside me.”

  Her words inflamed him. He grabbed her and surged upright. More than anything, he wanted to lose himself in her.

  When her hand slid down his stomach, he sucked in a breath. She circled his erection, fingers brushing over the sensitive head and he groaned.

  He lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around him. He took her slight weight, didn’t want to risk hurting her by pressing her against the wall.

  She shimmied her hips and his erection pressed against her slick opening.

  He lost the last of his tenuous control. He looked at her as he thrust inside her. Watched the flare in her eyes as he filled her.

  “Bay—”

  Her fingers dug into his shoulders. “Stop thinking. Just love me.”

  He did as she asked. Because he couldn’t stop himself. He thrust into her. Her small cries echoed off the tiles and she arched into him. An invitation to take all she offered.

  Pleasure was a hard hit to his gut. She was so damned gorgeous—the perfect temptation. If he’d had to design his dream woman, Bay would be it. Strong, lean, compact with mesmerizing green eyes and a will of iron. The courage of the most battle-hardened SEAL.

  The tight clasp of her sent hot sensation shooting through him. It knotted at the base of his spine and he knew the slippery fall into oblivion was coming.

  As her nails cut into his shoulders, she thrust her hips back against him. Not just welcoming him, but needing more.

  He gripped her buttocks and backed up. His back hit the wall of glass, Bay held tight against him. She knew what he wanted and started to ride him. A fast up and down drag that made every muscle in his body clench tight.

  Then his release slammed into him. He roared, gripping her close, feeling her body clenching around him. She shook as her own orgasm took her over the edge.

  When he could think, they were once again slumped on the shower floor. Bay was wrapped around him, her head resting on his shoulder. He liked the weight of her. Could get used to her resting on him.

  The water was cooling. He reached up and shut it off.

  Bay didn’t move.

  “Hey, sleeping beauty. Time to dry off.”

  “Can’t move.”

  Her mumble made him smile. Getting a firmer grip on her, he stood. Once out of the shower, he set her on her feet and grabbed a towel off the rack. Starting at her feet, he gently dried her skin. He skimmed up trim calves, dipping behind her knees. She drew in a quick breath and pressed a hand to his arm. He travelled up her toned thighs, drying every drop of water he found. When he slipped the thick terry into the juncture of her legs, protected by a triangle of pale hair, she gripped his wrist.

  “I can finish off.”

  He looked up into her slumberous eyes. “I know you can, but I’d like to do it.”

  She stared at him for a moment. She looked so young. Then her hand fell away.

  He moved upward, caressing her flawless skin. As he moved over her breasts, her breath hitched.

  “You’re driving me crazy,” she said.

  “That’s the plan.” He rubbed the towel over her damp hair. “I think I could be a happy man finding all the ways to drive you crazy.”

  There was that hint of vulnerability before she looked at the floor. “No one’s dried me off since I was a little girl.”

  He picked up a brush from beside the sink. “Turn around.”

  She did and he started working the brush through the long strands. He looked at the contrast of his hand against her skin. His was darker, scarred, hers was smooth and fair.

  He kept his strokes steady, working through the tangles. “Thank you.”

  She tilted her head. “For what?”

  “For pulling me back from the edge.” He knew without her, he might have drowned. Leaped into the yawning abyss of his pain.

  She turned, her hands pressing against his chest. “I’d say it was a great sacrifice—” she leaned closer and pressed a kiss over his heart “—but I’d be lying. I loved being with you.”

  He tugged her close and pressed his chin to her hair. He wished they could stay like this. Locked away together in a little world far removed from the existence they were both trying to escape.

  But already he felt the tug of reality. The blood, death and hatred were seeping back in. Revenge again beat in his heart.

  As though she sensed it, she sighed and pulled back. “You hungry?”

  He was surprised to find he was. “I could eat.”

  “Why don’t we attack that food our host left?” She wrapped a towel around her slim curves.

  Sean fought the
urge to rip the offending fabric away.

  She looked over her shoulder. “And you can tell me what we’re going to steal next.”

  He watched her leave. As soon as she was gone, he felt very alone.

  He pressed his hands to the sink, staring into the mirror. The burn of retribution once again pounded inside him—twisted with wild rage and grief. Holding her had chased it away, given him respite, if only for a brief moment.

  He gripped the ceramic until his fingers turned white. For a second, he was tempted to take her and run. Find that beach she dreamed about, lie on the sand and hold her tight.

  With a shake of his head, he reached for a towel. What was he thinking? Giving up his chance of vengeance for a woman.

  Especially when the woman would never, ever let anything get in the way of her revenge.

  Chapter Seven

  “We’re going to steal some old, dusty book?”

  Sean found himself fascinated at the way Bay’s forehead creased. He suspected it was a common expression for her. He wondered what she’d look like with a genuine smile on her face or if she ever truly laughed.

  “It’s more than that. It’s the original manuscript of a book called The Liber Legis. The Book of the Law. It was written by Crowley.”

  Bay reached over to the plate resting between them on the bed and plucked up a grape. “Crowley again?”

  “The occultist believed in doing what he wanted, ignoring moral constraints. Even started a religion based on the belief.”

  “God,” she whispered. “Sounds just like Leven.”

  “Do you know much about Leven’s past?”

  She shook her head. “I’ve never been able to find anything on him.”

  Sean nodded. “He’s hidden it deep, but before I…entered his employ, I had a friend with some hacking skills do a search.”

  Bay shifted, her gaze focused on him. “And?”

  “He was born John Gabriel Brown in a small town in Kansas.”

  “Kansas?” She shook her head. “Wouldn’t have guessed that.”

  Sean paused, uncertain how much he should tell her. “My friend found hospital records.”

  She blinked. “Hospital records?”