In the Dead of the Night

by Spear, Terry

  Allan would have loved to have been a bug on the phone listening to everything that was said. But instead he had to use his Agency training to coax it out of her. And he would, too. He was good at his job. He smiled as he led her down the path off the main road toward the house.

  A new black vehicle parked in the dark caught his attention. He pulled Jenny to a stop, and he and the other men brought their guns out while Lantham hurried to investigate.

  Seconds later, Lantham motioned for them to continue toward the house.

  “Who’s here?” Allan asked as he walked up the steps to the cottage.

  “One of our fallen comrades.”

  “Cameron?” Jenny asked, her voice full of enthusiasm.

  Lantham laughed. “He’ll be glad to know you’re happy he’s here.”

  “Don’t tell him,” Allan said. “It’ll go to his head.”

  Lantham opened the door for them.

  A golden fire crackled in the fireplace, heating the entire living area. She took a deep breath as they stepped into the house. “Love a fire on a cold, crisp night.”

  Dale and Samuel had already retired to bed. Cameron waved to them from the couch. His face appeared slightly pale, and he seemed tired. His arm was wrapped and truss in a sling.

  “Are you going to be all right, Cameron?” Allan asked.

  “Yeah. I’ve got house duty. I understand you’re climbing the mountain tomorrow. I’ll watch the house while the other guys sleep.”

  “All right. Well, Jenny and I are going to get some rest.”

  Jenny crossed the floor and kissed Cameron on the cheek. “Glad to see you’re going to be okay.”

  He chuckled. “Yeah. I knew there was a reason I signed up for another tour with this team.” He faced Allan. “Heard you had rather a rough night of it.”

  Allan shook his head and pulled Jenny toward the bedroom. “Everybody’s a wise ass.”

  When he closed the door behind him, the guys all laughed.

  Allan pulled Jenny against his chest and kissed her lips. “You know when this is all over, and we’re truly alone for the first time…”

  “Think we’ll miss them?”

  He laughed. “Absolutely not.”

  ***

  Thurman Wilson bit his fist as he stood on the redwood porch of his ranch in the dry desolate reaches of the Texas Panhandle. Nothing but rattlesnakes, roadrunners, coyotes, and giant rolling tumbleweeds, tossing over the uneven terrain at a fast clip in the wind.

  “Yes!” he shouted into the phone. The evening had gone extremely well. He’d successfully transferred a million dollars in drug money to a terrorist cell in Columbia, not the same as if he’d had Jenny’s money, but still it appeased his boss for the moment. And Caruso had made his day with finding a fine specimen of a man who could be Thurman’s double.

  And he was being delivered within the hour. Lure of big money, easily made, would make most anyone jump at the chance. Yet hadn’t the man ever learned if a situation appeared to be too good to be true, it probably was?

  Thurman hung up the phone, headed inside to his bar, and poured a shot of whiskey. With a flick of his wrist, he slugged it down. Things were coming together finally. All he needed was Jenny rolling around underneath him in his bed.

  He pulled a gun from a drawer and pointed it at a lamp, the shade covered in cowhide. Aiming, he pretended to fire off a round. He took a deep breath and shoved the gun into the drawer, then poured another drink. In a little bit, he’d practice on towering cactus. Then he’d plant a bullet in his double’s shoulder, make him earn his pay. Of course, the man would never live long enough to get it, but such was the way of the world.

  Thurman freed a knife from its sheath on the kitchen counter. He stabbed at the air. He’d have to do a quick thrust thus and, so then, voila! The man would be his double for real. One bullet in the shoulder and one neat stab wound in the side.

  He threw the knife on the counter. To think one of his own henchmen had given him the wound. He cursed out loud. The man had never lived long enough to regret it.

  Thurman touched the photo of Jenny wearing a bikini, standing with her friend, Roxie, when they’d been lakeside somewhere. Having Jenny at his fingertips again…

  He snarled. Killing his double couldn’t occur soon enough for him. Then the A.T.A. would return Jenny home to her place outside of Waco, and he’d grab her for good.

  Chapter 18

  Allan led Jenny into the cottage’s small bathroom, complete with aqua-colored toilet, free-standing matching colored sink, and a simple shower stall. He switched on the shower, then watched Jenny step out of her clothes.

  She nudged his shoulder with hers. “No wonder you act as though you’ve barely seen me undress before.”

  Crow’s feet appeared beneath his darkening brown eyes. “Yeah. Shows, huh?”

  “Sure does. I swear your tongue’s dragging the floor.”

  “It’s all your fault.” Allan cupped her naked breasts in his hands.

  She reached for his belt, and he quickly yanked his shirt off. After she’d unbuckled his belt, she ran her finger down his zipper, enjoying tantalizing him further.

  He groaned. “We’ll never make it into the shower.”

  She loved how she could get him worked up instantly. He certainly fired up her emotions with a whisper of a kiss. “Maybe we should skip the shower. I already took one earlier, and we haven’t really worked up a sweat or anything.”

  “Not on your life.”

  She unzipped his zipper, slowly. Her gaze turned up from the fastener to see his expression. His eyes twinkled with intrigue.

  But then he yanked his shorts down in a rush, followed by his boxers. “You know, Mrs. Thompson, you’re a terrible tease.”

  “Who’s the tease?” She ran her hand down his rigid erection, her brows and lips raised.

  He grabbed her up and carried her into the shower stall. “I’ve caught my mermaid, and I’m not even into fishing.” He set her down on the tile floor.

  “Ah, but you definitely have the right lure.”

  He chuckled, seductively, then slipped his tongue into her mouth as the water splashed over their heads, his hands working quickly on opening the bottle of tangerine-scented body wash. “Hmm, you sure know how to improve a shower.”

  He poured the body wash into his hands, then handed the bottle to her. Before she squirted soap on her hands, he massaged her breasts with silky, warm, indulgent fingers.

  “Hmm, now you sure improve my shower.” With soap-covered hands, she worked her slippery fingers over his back, massaging his tense muscles. When she slid her fingers around his growing erection, he groaned with pleasure.

  “Good, huh?”

  He smiled and kissed her mouth. “Nothing could be better.”

  Their bodies slid against each other. Their tongues danced a tango while their fingers explored each other’s skin. Nothing else mattered…just the incredibly erotic and loving moment.

  But then her thoughts shifted to her secret agent role. For now, Allan didn’t seem to care that she’d shared the cottage with Roxie and a couple of agents…would he let it go? He was her husband, and lover, but an agent, too. She knew the questions would begin all over again. But no matter what, she couldn’t tell him the truth. Not now…not until Wilson was a dead man.

  There could never be a trial for a man like him. He would take as many agents out before he would ever let himself get caught and imprisoned. All she could hope for was that she could get close enough to him again and terminate his life before he did hers. As long as he was still living, her life wouldn’t be worth anything.

  Allan lifted her chin, and she realized she’d quit touching him as her thoughts had reverted to the despicable Wilson. “A penny for your thoughts?” he asked.

  She smiled, vowing to keep her mind on more pleasurable business. “I’m a wealthy woman. A penny wouldn’t do it.”

  “Ah, you want more.” He pulled her against his body and spear
ed her waist with his erection, tempting her.

  “Foul play,” she whispered against his ear, her hands shifting to touch his firm buttocks.

  He lifted her against the tile wall, bearing her weight with his strong arms. “Yeah, anyway I can have you,” he whispered back, his warm breath tickling her cheek. He kissed the corner of her mouth, then maneuvered in between her legs.

  She gasped as he penetrated her. He got her full attention then. She closed her eyes, her hands encouraging him as she ran them over his muscled back while he thrust deep inside her. Moaning, she attempted to keep her cries of pleasure quiet, knowing full well Allan’s partners would hear them if she didn’t. Damn the thin interior walls of the safe house.

  Who would ever have thought the next time she came here, she’d be with a husband agent who could make moves like this with her.

  Allan held her in place, her legs wrapped around him, thrusting into her with power and sureness. Their bodies strained against each other, melding as one. She couldn’t get enough of him. Waves of pleasure coursed through every molecule as the fire raged inside her. Yet, it wasn’t enough. She arched against him, willing him to drive deeper, to the heavens and back.

  He obliged, picking up the pace, ramming deeply, filling her void with bliss.

  A soft mew of gratification escaped her lips when he reached his peak, filling her with warmth. Her brain wasn’t quite functioning properly when she realized their mistake. He hadn’t used protection.

  Too late now to worry about. He seemed to be oblivious to it, obviously his other head doing all of his thinking for him. So what was her excuse?

  Someday she wanted children. Someday. But not until she was sure Allan would want to stay with her after he learned she was an agent, too. Shoot, and if she got pregnant, then what? She’d end up relegated to a desk job?

  He reached for a towel and dried her off, then himself. Afterward, he carried her to bed. “We have unfinished business, honey.”

  After depositing her on the bed, he leaned over and touched her between the legs. “Your turn.”

  She smiled and switched on the nightlight. “I’m ready.”

  ***

  Bringing Jenny to the peak of pleasure thrilled Allan as much as having his own orgasm. If he could have managed in the shower, he would have brought her to the top with him at the same time. But his hands had been rather full of her, holding her against his body, so that he could have access to her most secret passage. And now her lithe body reacted to his fingers, making him hard all over again.

  With his wife, Millie, his sex life had become nonexistent. He knew somehow it was his own fault. When Randy Stevens slipped into their bed one night and ravished his wife while Allan was on an assignment, Allan was assured he was the one who couldn’t pleasure her.

  Jenny proved it wasn’t so. Not at least for her. She filled his life with delight and fulfilled the needs he’d buried deep. Yet, she’d been distracted when he’d first taken her into the shower. Her memories must have disturbed her, but she didn’t feel comfortable sharing her dark secrets with him.

  He had to learn patience with her. She undoubtedly had painful memories to live through. The notion she’d been with Wilson and what he would do to her if he got his hands on her again, had to scare her to death. But Allan wanted to help her through every bit of it. He had every intention of being her strength through the days and months and years ahead.

  He continued to stroke her with his fingers, making the right moves between her legs, touching the spot of pleasure that made her pant and moan. When she arched her back, and called out his name under her breath, he smiled. She shuddered as waves of arousal swept over her. He pulled her against his body, then covered them with the thin comforter.

  She sighed deeply against his chest. “I don’t know how we managed to stay on a twin bed all night.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Anything bigger, and I might lose you in the middle of the night.”

  She chuckled and nestled her head against his chest, then traced the muscles in his abdomen.

  “Do that in the middle of the night, honey, and I’ll be ready for you again.”

  “I won’t be able to climb the mountain tomorrow if we do it all night again,” she whispered.

  He laughed. “I’ll carry you up the mountain. Nothing’s keeping me from you tonight…unless of course, you’d rather sleep.”

  She encircled his nipple with her finger. “Not on your life. If I’m asleep, but you’re up and raring to go, just give me a poke, big boy.”

  He grinned at her, just the images racing through his mind, stirred him all over again. He traced the contours of her back, trying to figure out a way to speak to her about what had happened in the cottage that had bothered her so though. And what had disturbed her thoughts when they were in the shower.

  But after making love, he didn’t want to spoil the moment. Instead, he said, “If you want to talk about anything that’s bothering you about your memories, or us, feel free to discuss it, Jenny. My ex-wife tended to be close mouthed about things. That was one of our problems. She resented my partners, my job, my trips away. But she’d never talk about it to me. Not until it was too late.”

  Jenny nodded.

  He kissed her head and wrapped his arms securely around her. He wanted to give her the opening to discuss her concerns, but she wasn’t taking the bait. Taking a deep breath, he tried again. “You seemed bothered by some memory in the shower.”

  She nodded again, her wet hair rubbing silkily against his bare chest.

  “Did you want to discuss it?”

  She shook her head.

  “All right.” It wasn’t really, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it.

  She kissed his chest. “I’m sorry about getting distracted in the shower.”

  He took in a deep breath. “I figured I wasn’t keeping my love interested enough.”

  She snorted. “Right. No one but me could have been distracted. I’m truly sorry.”

  “There’s no need to be—”

  “I’m sure you realize the memories keep popping back into my head, often at unwelcome times. I don’t want you to feel my actions in any way reflect how I feel about you,” she said softly.

  He caressed her shoulder. “I love you, Jenny. I only want you to be as happy as I am.”

  “I don’t know when I’ve had such a joyful time in my life and felt so loved. You’re so good for me, but I’m afraid I won’t measure up.”

  He stilled his hand. “Why?”

  “I…well, just that I might not be what you expect me to be.”

  He couldn’t imagine what she thought she was or wasn’t that wouldn’t measure up to his expectations. “You’re more than anyone has ever been for me. What makes you worry?”

  The Agency and he both had done extensive background checks on her. She was squeaky clean, never having broken the law once, not even for a traffic violation. She was educated, kept a neat home, was dedicated to her job. He couldn’t understand what worried her. She’d rarely dated, wasn’t a heavy drinker. He ran his hand over her arm. Had Wilson made her commit some act of terrorism she’d only now recalled? Something the Agency had no record of?

  “Had Wilson talked you into—”

  “I don’t think my talking about him is going to be good for our relationship.”

  “If he made you do something—”

  She lay quietly against him, barely breathing.

  He wanted more than anything to find out what had happened between the devil and his angel. But Allan sensed she was afraid she might lose him if she divulged her dark secrets.

  “Nothing you can say will make me change my mind about us,” Allan coaxed. “Even after Millie had the affair with Randy, I would have stuck it out with her. I’m really not the quitting kind of guy when I’ve made a commitment to a woman. Wilson is the devil incarnate. Whatever he made you do is no reflection on you. Believe me, Jenny, when I say this. I want you to fe
el you can talk to me freely about anything.”

  “I didn’t feel anything for him, Allan. I want you to know that.”

  His heart rate increased. Why would she have been with Wilson if—

  “I can’t explain any more than that right now.”

  He was so surprised to hear her speak of her feelings about Wilson, for the first time he was nearly at a loss for words. “I don’t understand. Why did you stay with him all that time—”

  “He repulsed me. It wasn’t truly that I didn’t feel anything for him. But…I was bound to him in a way I can’t explain. Later, but not now. You must trust me.”

  Allan’s thoughts swirled with confusion. “Was he blackmailing you?”

  She shook her head.

  “Jenny, honey, what aren’t you telling me?”

  She yawned, but didn’t say anything further.

  He ran his hand over her hair. “What did my boss say to you?”

  “To keep you safe. Wake me whenever you have the urge,” she said yawning again, and slid her leg over his. “Time to sleep.”

  He kissed the top of her head and snuggled with her, not knowing what to think about her words. He’d planned on getting her to reveal the truth to him, but now he was even more confused and concerned than before.

  When her body twitched with sleep, he left the bed and pulled on a T-shirt and boxers.

  He joined Cameron, still sitting in the living area. “How are you doing, bud?”

  “Fine, boss, and yourself?” Cameron cocked a brow.

  Allan shook his head. He couldn’t believe how difficult getting her to talk to him was. “Something’s bothering her about Wilson, but I can’t coax it out of her no matter how I try. That and she won’t reveal anything to me about the agents who brought Roxie and her here last summer. Anyone get hold of Roxie?”