by Kaylea Cross
Eden drew the sheet back as he ended the call. Zack dropped the phone on the bedside table as her soft hands and even softer mouth began roaming over his naked chest. He groaned, didn’t even wince as he rolled to his back. His wound was sore but the stitches were coming out any day now, and he’d been dying to make love to Eden again.
Having her hands on him now was exquisite torture. He was hard as a rock beneath the sheets as she kissed her way down his abs, pausing to nip and lick at the sensitive spot where his hip and groin met.
He slid a hand into her curls, squeezed them in his fist and let out a low growl of arousal. It had been way too damn long since they’d been able to enjoy each other. “I’m liking this wakeup call,” he murmured, pulse racing with anticipation as that mouth hovered oh-so-near to where he needed it.
“Hmm,” she replied, her fingers stroking feather-light patterns on the insides of his thighs. “I came up to see if you wanted me to bring you a tray. You hungry?”
The scent of coffee and something sweet clung to her, but the sweet was probably Eden herself. “Not for food.” He tightened his hold on her hair, dying for the moment those sexy lips closed around his aching cock.
“Ah. Maybe this, then?” She closed her fingers around his erection, gave him a long, slow stroke that had him seeing stars.
Zack arched up off the bed, ignoring the pain in his side. “Yes.”
He was a little afraid she intended to tease him to death, so he shuddered and sighed in pleasure and relief when the heat of her mouth surrounded the sensitive crown. “Oh, God, Eden…”
She hummed and ran her tongue around him, then took him deeper, sucking, enjoying it damn near as much as him. She loved turning him on, or maybe it was that she loved reducing him to a quivering mass of need. Either way, he loved it too.
He closed his eyes, let himself sink into the bliss she lavished on him with every sexy pull of her talented mouth. It was so damn good.
Forcing his eyes open, he looked down at her. She was watching him as she took him deep, making his breath stutter in his throat. He wanted it to last forever but he was too on edge, it had been too long and he needed to come. Needed her.
“I’m getting close,” he finally rasped out, unsure if he wanted to beg for mercy or beg her to finish him off then and there.
She gave him two more slow, torturous sucks before releasing him and shimmying up to straddle his thighs. And she was naked. Utterly, gloriously naked, the morning sunlight coming through the windows gilding her light brown skin with brushstrokes of gold.
He slid one hand around her back and cupped one perfect breast with the other. She leaned forward, settling her core directly over his aching cock as he took a pert nipple into his mouth.
Moaning softly, she rocked her hips, sliding her wetness along his rigid length. A crinkle registered at the back of his mind, then a quiet tearing sound. He released her nipple just long enough to look down as she stood him up to roll a condom down his length.
Eden shifted, planting one hand beside his head while she settled him against her core, her gaze locked with his. Zack stared back at her, utterly lost in this gorgeous woman as she sank down on him, her teeth sinking into her plump lower lip.
“Fuck, yes, ride me,” he groaned, gripping one curvy hip while he reached up to squeeze and roll her nipple.
Eden gasped and shifted once more, changing the angle slightly. Her eyes slid closed and her head fell back, her free hand sliding down to touch the swollen nub at the top of her sex.
It was so fucking sexy to watch her take control like this, to take her pleasure from his body while he watched. Every slow, slick stroke of her core pushed the pleasure higher. It raced across his skin, up his spine, making his heart slam and his breathing turn rough.
“You’re so hard,” she breathed, her face awash in ecstasy as she rocked herself toward release, her fingers stroking her clit in gentle circles he wished he could be giving her with his tongue. “So thick.”
Christ, the way she said it in that pleasure-roughened voice, the way her breath caught and her inner muscles squeezed him, had him breaking out in a sweat. He firmed his grip on her hip, watched her face as he lifted his hips, following the pace and rhythm she set. Soon she was breathing fast, her face tightening.
So close. So close he could almost taste it.
He wrapped his hand in her curls. Squeezed tight. He needed to see her eyes. Craved that most intimate connection with her. “Look at me.”
She opened pleasure-drenched, heavy-lidded amber eyes. Held his gaze and moved faster. Harder. Then her eyes squeezed shut, her face contorting with pleasure as orgasm took her. She moaned and threw her head back, that gorgeous body undulating in the throes of ecstasy.
Breathing hard, Zack gripped her hips and pulled her down on him as he thrust up, burying himself deep inside her, and let go. The pleasure ripped through him, powerful and sweet. He groaned and tugged her down on top of him, gathering her close against his chest. “Good morning.”
She chuckled drowsily. “Morning. You okay?” Her hand drifted down to brush the edge of the bandage covering his stitches.
“Fantastic. Feeling no pain whatsoever at the moment.”
“I thought we’d fixed our trust issues because we agreed no more lies,” she said in a pointed tone.
A chuckle escaped him. “Okay, I’m still in pain. But that was worth it.” She was worth any amount of pain.
Her arms slid beneath him, her head tucked beneath his jaw. “I tried to be gentle with you.”
“You were.” He smoothed a hand down her satin-smooth back. “What time is it?”
“Seven.”
“Why were you up so early? Did I miss something?”
“I was just talking with Kiyomi.”
“About?”
“Various things. She’s been trying to remember things she heard when she was in captivity. She’s convinced Rahman intended to sell her to the Architect.”
It turned his stomach to think about it. “Has Amber got a lock on him yet?”
“No, but she’s getting close.”
“I’ll help her work on it this afternoon. I’ve still got some connections I might be able to use to help us find him.” Zack wanted to find Rahman so they could solve the final piece of this puzzle, but he also dreaded it. Because once they had a location nailed down, Eden and the others would go after him.
Not wanting to spoil the peacefulness of the moment, Zack set his worry aside and stroked a hand through her curls. Eden was going to be in danger again at some point, and he had to deal with that. He wanted to shield her from everything, protect her from any threat, but that would never work with her. All he could do was stand beside her and face whatever came together. “Is everybody else up?”
“Yes. They’re getting set up in the conservatory right now.”
“What time’s the wedding?” Megan and Ty had decided waiting was pointless, so they’d somehow managed to get a wedding license and were getting married today here at the manor.
“Ten. Reception’s right after, then they’re taking a two-night honeymoon in York. Megan and Amber are headed into town shortly. Amber bribed the wedding dress shop owner into giving them private access to the shop before it opens. I should get back down and help.” She sighed. “Except I’m too comfy to move.”
“Me too. Best wakeup call ever.” Her chuckle warmed his heart.
She was quiet a moment. “I’ve never been to a wedding before.”
“Really?”
She shook her head. “I’m kinda excited about being there today.”
Ah, so she had a romantic side after all, much as she tried to hide it. So many layers to this woman. But now he was curious about something else. “What about you? Did you ever imagine getting married one day?” He hadn’t brought it up yet, wary of pushing too far too soon. He could definitely imagine marrying her, however.
She lifted her head to raise her eyebrows at him. “With my life? What do
you think?”
“I think probably never.”
“Exactly.”
“And what about now?”
She stared at him for a second, surprise and something else moving in those pretty eyes, then laid her head back on his chest. “I think I might start letting myself imagine it.”
Zack smiled and kissed the top of her head, savoring the victory. That couldn’t have been easy for her to say, let alone admit to herself. “I’m glad to hear it,” he murmured.
Because one day, when she was ready, he was making this incredible woman his forever.
But his smile faded as he thought of what stood between now and then. The obstacles that loomed like a giant cliff in front of them, creeping closer every day.
He tightened his arms around her, a fierce protectiveness roaring to life inside him. Eden was his and no one was taking her from him.
Not even the so-called Architect, whoever the bastard was.
****
Outside the window, the trees quivered in the cool evening breeze. Fall in Atlanta was still warm compared to most of the country, but the shorter amount of daylight was reflected in the brilliant vermillion and amber leaves scattered across the mansion’s grounds.
After an almost unbearable wait, the time was finally near.
The groundwork was laid, the most threatening enemies neutralized, including that fucker Bennett with his impotent threats and big mouth. Killing him in such a messy way had come with significant risks—and had been worth every one of them. Few kills had ever been so satisfying.
Unfortunately, the attack on the Valkyrie team in Virginia had failed. Now another CIA handler was dead, along with other members of the hit squad, while all the Valkyrie team had walked away.
It wasn’t supposed to happen so publicly. The story had been splashed all over the news, making things more difficult. One of them had been wounded, but no one knew how badly. All reports said they’d gone back to the UK. But where?
The Architect’s gaze strayed to the initial design laid on the drafting table set near the large picture window at the back of the house. The latest rendition of the secret facility about to be built, with all the treasured tools laid out beside it.
Everything on the desk was lined up in neat, exact lines. Rulers, pencils and pens, protractors and other measuring devices. Technology was a wonderful thing, but rudimentary tools were still superior for some things. There was something satisfying and tangible about putting pencils to paper to create something that couldn’t be replicated by—in fact was ruined by—automated computer programs. Although technology was a necessary evil.
One of three computer monitors was on, positioned on the table to the left. Headshots of the remaining Valkyries filled the screen. Eight of them. The Architect knew every one of them, knew all about their personal histories…some more intimately than others.
Trinity. Megan. Amber. Chloe. Eden. Briar. Georgia.
And Kiyomi. The most perfect of them all.
A soft ding pierced the silence. An email from a source in the UK.
Wounded member was Zack Maguire. Non life-threatening gunshot wound, treated and released, visit and tests paid for in cash. Maguire identified via security cam footage outside the private medical clinic in Cheltenham. Unidentified female with him.
Eden Foster.
No other information at this time.
It was the first solid lead as to their possible whereabouts. Cheltenham was in the countryside, on the edge of the Cotswolds. They wouldn’t have taken Maguire to a clinic near their base. But they wouldn’t have transported him too far away. That narrowed the geographical area down considerably.
Now it was time to finish this.
Above the table on the windowsill sat three framed portraits. Pictures of certain Valkyries when they were younger.
Two were links to the past. The other, to the future.
Planning all this out, waiting for just the right moment to enact the plan, had taken years of meticulous work. Now Bennett was dead, one of the more serious threats removed.
The eight women on screen were the only obstacle now. They were working together now, having teamed up in the face of their annihilation, as predicted. Now it was just a matter of finding where they were based.
The images on screen and in the frames beckoned, echoing with memories, triggering a bittersweet pain. They were a reminder of all the sacrifices and accomplishments paid for in blood, sweat and tears. Of anguish and death.
Unfortunately, all of them but one would die. There was no other way.
A necessary sacrifice to ensure a world made safer and more perfect by the most gifted of all her creations.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Her first wedding.
Eden couldn’t stem the excitement buzzing inside her as she made her way around the conservatory with the garden shears. The chairs had been set up in neat rows in front of the arbor the guys had set up, and Eden and Kiyomi had covered it with garlands of ivy and brilliant crimson Virginia creeper from the property.
She took the cuttings she’d gathered into the breakfast room, where Kiyomi helped her trim, arrange and tie them into two bouquets with lavender ribbon. When they were done, Eden held one up and smiled in satisfaction. “Perfect.”
“Yes, they are,” Kiyomi said, her smile momentarily dispelling the shadows in her dark eyes. Since telling them about the connection between Rahman and the Architect the other day, she’d withdrawn from everyone.
They would do their best to prevent it, but it seemed the team was on a collision course with Rahman, and one day, Kiyomi would likely have to face him again. “I love that they’re doing this here in front of all of us,” Eden said.
“Me too.”
“Is one of those for me?”
They both turned as Megan swept into the room, stunning in her gorgeous gown of pale cream, the bodice made of delicate lace and the skirt a soft chiffon that flowed as she moved. “Yes, the big one,” Eden said, handing the large purple and white bouquet to her.
“Oh, it’s gorgeous.”
It really was. “The irises are for valor, faith and hope. Lavender for devotion. And the arborvitae and ivy are for unchanging friendship.” As deserving of a Valkyrie sister.
Megan gave her a big smile and pulled her into a hug. “I love that you put so much meaning into this, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now go hide so Ty doesn’t see you by accident. Kiyomi, take her out of here, quick.”
Kiyomi grinned and led Megan from the room. Alone, Eden gathered up the special boutonnière she’d made for an even more special man.
“Thought I might find you here.”
She turned to smile at Zack, looking ridiculously handsome in the suit Amber had brought back from town for him. “You caught me.” Perfect timing.
He crossed to her, his movements a little stiff, then wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her soundly on the lips. “Dare I ask what you’re doing?”
“I just finished making the bouquets.”
He eyed the plant clippings on the table. “Any of those poisonous?”
She grinned. “You don’t think I’d risk poisoning the bride on her wedding day, do you?”
“No,” he answered, though he still looked a little wary. “But could you? Kill someone with that stuff?”
Eden looked down at the specimens she’d gathered, some from a florist in town, but most from Marcus’s gardens. The mop head-shaped hydrangeas had long since faded into a rusty purple color from their former bright blue, but the foliage was beautiful with tinges of red and purple amongst the green. In high enough concentrations, its cyanogenic glycoside could be lethal. “Technically? Yes.”
“Well that’s…terrifying. Which ones are poisonous?”
“Most of them. And there are a lot more toxic plants out in the garden, too.” Yew, hemlock, nightshade, holly. Rhododendron, hydrangea and lily of the valley.
He focused back on her. “Did yo
u get a chance to talk to Marcus about the garden thing?”
“Yes. If we’re still here next spring, he said I can create my own poison garden, as long as it doesn’t put Karas or the horses at risk.”
He nodded. “Smart of him to stipulate that.”
Eden poked him in the shoulder with her forefinger. “I’m quirky, not careless. I’ll make sure it’s still safe for all the people and animals living here. But it’ll be great to make a garden in honor of my grandma. I’m going to clear the plot Marcus showed me and plant a whack of narcissus bulbs later this week, if you want to help.”
“What are those?”
She laughed at his worried expression. “Daffodils.”
His eyes widened. “They’re poisonous too?”
“In the right concentration. You’re so funny,” she said with a grin.
“And you’re kinda scary. But I love you anyway.”
“Good. Because I have something for you.” First she picked up the single bloom she’d cut from the garden earlier, and handed it to him. “Look familiar?”
“Looks like the one you left floating in the glass the morning you left.”
She nodded. “A pink camellia symbolizes ‘I’m longing for you.’”
Awareness filled his eyes. “And the dead leaves?”
“Sadness.”
He stared at her as her message hit home. She’d been trying to tell him without words how she felt about him, even then.
“Today, I’m giving you this.” She picked up the boutonnière. “Are you allergic to ragweed, by chance?”
He eyed her, a grin tugging at his lips. “No.” He took it, twirled it slightly in his fingers. “So what does it mean?” he asked, watching her.
“It’s also known as ambrosia.” Nerves tingled in the pit of her belly, but it was time. She had to give the words back to him. “It symbolizes love returned.”
His expression changed and he curved a hand around her nape. “Eden…”
Her heart thudded against her ribs, wanting to burst free. “I love you, Zack.”
His forceful exhalation gusted against her hair, and then he was crushing her to him, his arms strong around her. “God, I love you too. So much.”
