Deep Bounty

by KD Jones

  “Well, wasn’t he chatty.”

  “Not really. I had to pull information from him. I needed to know about your blood type.”

  “My blood type naturally led to a conversation about my ex-boyfriend?”

  He glanced away, but she could see redness creeping across his cheeks. Really, he was quite handsome and charming. Any woman would fall for a guy like him. Of course, she also reminded herself that the last woman to fall for Felix had ended up dead.

  “I’m a universal blood recipient.”

  “That’s what Kalen said. He also mentioned that you’re Bazinoid.”

  “Half. Are you familiar with my kind?”

  “No. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting a Bazinoid. Is there anything I need to know to treat you properly?”

  “My blood cells will replenish themselves as long as I have plenty of water. Water is the key to a healthy Bazinoid. We have to submerge ourselves completely at least once a month.”

  “Do showers help?”

  “No, I really mean completely. A bathtub would be great right about now.”

  Felix sighed. “I wouldn’t advise using anything in the bathroom here unless there’s no other choice.”

  “That doesn’t sound promising.”

  The door to the apartment opened and Felix immediately positioned himself in front of her, as if to defend her. She tried not to laugh at him, irritated that she still felt so weak. It was a noble gesture on his part, really, but what exactly did he think he was going to do? Still, she liked him for it.

  “Ease up, Doc, I come bearing gifts,” Kalen said as he walked into the apartment with a brown bag.

  Elsa’s stomach growled at the smell of deliciously fattening, greasy food. “Man, I’m starving.”

  Felix shook his head. “That is not what your body needs right now.”

  Elsa ignored him and sat up just as Kalen tossed the bag her way. She caught it with ease. Fast food was her weakness. “I need to keep up my energy until I can submerge.” She unwrapped a delicious-smelling handburger.

  “Here, Doc, I figured I would get you something a little...healthier.” Kalen tossed him a bag.

  She glanced over to see what it was and snorted. “Carrot cake? That’s your idea of healthy?”

  “It’s got carrots in it,” Kalen protested.

  Elsa noticed he didn’t pull anything out for himself. He’d probably already eaten an entire steak dinner or something. He’d also changed into a fresh business suit. She struggled to shift to a more comfortable position, and Felix was suddenly there, his hands on her back supporting her carefully so as not to cause her any pain. It brought their faces close together and their eyes met. Heat filled her. Oh man, even as tired and dirty as he was, as they both were, she wanted him. Clearing her throat, she settled back against the back of the couch.

  “What’s the situation?” she asked Kalen.

  “I spotted a car circling the block every thirty minutes. I also noted a car sitting outside the hospital, one outside the local authority station, and another blocking the lift to the spaceport. It will be difficult to move far without running into one of the hired guns.”

  Elsa chewed her burger and swallowed. “That’s a lot of guns to hire.”

  Kalen pointed at Felix. “He’s worth a lot of money.”

  Elsa stopped eating and looked down at Felix, currently sitting on the floor leaning back against the couch. “Who would benefit from your death?”

  Felix looked up at her with a frown. “Bridgette would have, but when I filed for the divorce, I changed my life insurance policy.”

  “Who did you change the beneficiary to?” Kalen pushed for the answer.

  “I left a great deal of my money in a trust for different charities, the hospital, and the only family I have left, my cousin Roger.”

  “How close are you to this Roger?” Kalen asked as he took out his phone.

  “We used to spend summers together as children, but he was sent to a boarding school on Hicone. We lost touch with each other until I got married to Bridgette. He came over for several dinners. I wouldn’t say we’re that close anymore.”

  “Why would you name him as your beneficiary?”

  “Well, most of my money and estate is still going to charity, but I had to have someone to leave my life insurance to, so I thought family would be the best thing.”

  Kalen nodded and stood up. “I’m going to go check and see if that car made another round. Be ready to move to a new location in fifteen minutes.”

  “Give Isaac a call,” Elsa reminded him.

  “I will.”

  “If we’re not moving to a hospital, we need a clean place with a tub,” Felix insisted.

  Kalen raised an eyebrow. “Do you need bubble bath as well?”

  Elsa threw her empty bag at Kalen’s head. “It’s for me, idiot.”

  “I’m already on it. Fifteen minutes.” Kalen left them again.

  “He doesn’t like to stay still for long, does he?” Felix asked her.

  “No, most of us bounty hunters don’t like to stay in one place for long.”

  “Isn’t it part of your job though? Staking out the...perps?”

  “Stakeouts are only part of the job. With technology today, we can use drones to do most of the boring stuff like stakeouts and tailing people. Of course,we still have to learn how to do those things ourselves, because drones can be shot down.”

  She felt his eyes on her and glanced his way. “What?”

  “You don’t look like a bounty hunter.”

  Elsa got that a lot from people, especially from men she was interested in dating—not that she was interested in Felix. Damn it. She felt her cheeks warming. Maybe she had a fever.

  “You might think I look too delicate and soft, but I’m tough.”

  “I’m sure you are.”

  She glared at his tone. “Don’t make me shoot you.”

  Felix laughed. “I’ve got your gun.”

  “Who the hell gave you my gun?” she was outraged.

  “You did, right before you passed out.”

  She hated feeling weak. “Give it back to me.”

  “No.”

  Elsa blinked. She didn’t think anyone had ever said no to her like that before, except for her parents. “Why not?”

  “You might shoot me and I’ve been enjoying talking to you.”

  She rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help but smile. “If this is your way of flirting, you should definitely be shot.”

  Felix looked surprised. “Am I flirting? I’ve been told I usually come across as too serious.”

  “You’re dedication to your job is impressive. I’m sure that you don’t have to do much else to impress women.”

  He bristled. “I don’t use my career to impress people. I also don’t throw around my family name and money, if that’s what you were going to say next.”

  “Whatever you say,” Elsa responded. She could tell she’d hit a nerve. “You’re certainly good-looking, I’ll give you that.”

  This time when his gaze found hers, there were definitely sparks. This was not the time or place to explore chemistry, though, she told herself firmly. He was a job. That’s all.

  Chapter 8

  It had been hours since they moved to the new location, this time a high-rise apartment building. Felix didn’t ask how Kalen had swung that; he didn’t care. The only thing he cared about was that he had finally been able to take a quick shower, the first he’d had in days.

  Kalen had left again almost immediately to go do something, and now here Felix was, pacing back and forth outside the bathroom door. Elsa had explained she needed to submerge herself in the tub full of cool water, but insisted she didn’t need his help. He worried that she would slip and fall, or fall asleep in the tub and drown. Also, he had to admit, he was curious about her species.

  “If you’re going to pace outside the door the whole time, you might as well come in,” Elsa called out.

  He hurrie
d inside. “I’m sorry, I was just worried that you could…” His words trailed off at the sight of her sitting in the water. Her hair was a whiter blond and glowed. Her eyes were a lovely bright blue, as was her skin, slightly paler than her eyes. The water was so clear he could see her breasts—perfect smooth skin and tight little pink nipples. As he watched, the water hit the nipples and they turned a light blue, like little blueberries. His mouth was suddenly dry. Felix glanced away.

  “You look better,” he told her as he avoided looking directly at her or the mirror.

  “My DNA will use the protein from the burger and the water to help start replenishing my blood loss.”

  “How long will that take?”

  “It will probably be a good week before I am at 100 percent.”

  Felix turned around in surprise. “That’s amazing!”

  She smiled as she used the cloth to wash her legs. “Thanks. I feel like I’m an experiment at a science fair.”

  “I didn't mean it that way. I’m just very curious about your species. I have so many questions.”

  “What would you like to know?”

  Forgetting to keep his eyes averted, he moved closer and sat on the edge of the tub. “I’d heard about the skin tone change, but your hair glows a little and your eyes are very bright. Your skin soaks up the water for nutrients. My biggest question is…”

  “Gills? You want to know if I have gills to breathe underwater.”

  “Yes.”

  She lifted her wet hair away from her neck and turned for him to look at. “No gills. I can hold my breath for a very long time, but because I am only half Bazinoid, I don’t have the gills.”

  He couldn’t resist reaching out to touch the delicate blue skin under her ear. The feel of her skin was so soft and smooth. Visions of running his hands all over her body ran through his mind and his cock swelled uncomfortably in the shorts he was wearing. He was about to pull his hand away and excuse himself when she reached up and put her hand over top of his.

  “Elsa, you’re so gorgeous,” he whispered. He leaned forward and kissed her luscious lips.

  Elsa moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him to her. He knew there were so many reasons he should not be doing this, but they were all overridden by one reason he should: he wanted her and she wanted him. She was nothing like anyone he knew, smart, sexy, and a little dangerous. He liked her laughter, and the way she never complained even in situations that warranted it.

  He cupped her check as his other hand caressed her shoulder and arm. Her skin was so soft, so delicate. A total opposite from the cool and hard exterior she tried to project. Who would have thought she was so full of passion? Those pretty blue nipples teased at his awareness and his fingers ached to pluck them.

  As the kiss deepend, he started to slide off the edge of the tub. The splash brought him to his senses. No! She was a patient. She was still recovering and didn’t need that kind of physical strain. Besides, she was here to take him in to the authority. How would starting something with her work?

  He pulled away and glanced down at her. Her face flushed with need and desire, and he was sure he was in a similar condition. It nearly had him ripping his clothes off right then and there. He stood and stumbled toward the door.

  “Felix, wait…”

  “I need… I need to keep an eye on the door until Kalen returns.” His eyes lingered on her now exposed breasts. He had to get out of there before he did something they’d both regret. He was suddenly aware of how long it had been since he’d last had sex, and his body was throbbing for release. It was just too soon for them to be together. Wasn’t it?

  He opened the door and escaped the bathroom, shutting the door firmly behind him. If and when he got his name cleared, he’d see if there was something real between him and Elsa. If she was actually still interested. If this hadn’t just been a situational fluke. Really, that was probably it.

  *****

  What the hell had just happened? Elsa sat back in the tub feeling confused and unsatisfied. Her pussy was throbbing with need and her nipples were tight. It had been a while since she had sex and now her body was positively craving Felix.

  She had been intrigued by him since before they ever met, and now that they had met, she was fascinated. He was so smart, and his body was so fine. All she had wanted to do since meeting him was rub her body against his, but she’d been ignoring it, pushing it down.

  Elsa didn’t know why she was so attracted to him. He was good-looking in a nerdy professor sort of way, but the men she normally dated were more similar in build to the bounty hunters she worked with. Everything about Felix appealed to her on so many unexpected levels, though. His intelligence intrigued her, his humor was endearing, and his body was made for loving.

  She ran her hand down her neck, over her chest and her stomach. She stopped right at her spread thighs. She closed her eyes as she touched herself, imagining Felix’s hands on her. No, she should picture someone else, he had left her here alone. But it was no good, Felix was fixed in her mind. She slipped her fingers between her folds and began to stroke herself. She imagined he would stroke her harder and deeper, so she did the same. Oh…that was nice. She used her other hand to squeeze her breasts. He liked her breasts, she had seen his instant hard-on when he caught sight of her. He had licked his lips. Pinching her nipple as her fingers penetrated deeper, hitting her pleasure spot, she arched up and moaned as she found her release.

  As her body hummed through the afterglow, she slowly became aware of the cooling water and what she had just done. Damn it! This was so unprofessional of her. She pushed the button to drain the water and stood up. The blower turned on and she stood in the tub, trying to regain her composure, as her hair and body dried.

  How could she be lusting after someone who might have killed his wife? This reminder of his marital status as well had her cringing at her behavior. Even if Felix was as innocent as he claimed, she still had a job to do. She couldn’t start a relationship with a perp she had been hired to bring in. Plus, he was either still married or recently widowed. He hadn’t had time to grieve.

  Shaking her head and looking at her reflection in the mirror, she watched as the golden glow of her hair faded. Her eyes and lips also returned to their normal color, though they still looked drugged from his kisses. The man certainly knew how to kiss. His lips were soft but also firm. And when he had touched her skin, she’d felt it like currents of electricity through her whole body. It had shocked her enough to cause her to her lose firm hold of her common sense.

  She finished getting dressed, relieved to be putting on clean clothes again. She pulled her hair back and made sure that her emotions were in check. If she looked like the competent, calm, and collected bounty hunter she was, maybe she could pretend what happened in the bathroom never happened.

  The sound of the outer door opening and shutting in the other room let her know that Kalen was back. That was good. They would finish this job, and later, if Felix really was innocent and his name was cleared, they could see if there was anything true between them. She needed to find out what was going on with these mercenaries. Who were they and who was paying them?

  She opened the bathroom door and walked into the bedroom. She blinked when she realized the place was a whole damn luxury suite. “Kalen, how the hell did you get a place like this without using a credit card?”

  “I have my ways.”

  She glanced over at the beds and caught sight of Felix lounging on one of the two queen-sized beds. Pleasant images of ripping his shirt off and rubbing her breasts against his chest played through her mind. She missed whatever Kalen said next.

  “Sorry, what?”

  Kalen smirked as he reached for his own clothing and headed toward the bathroom. “I said that Vic is sending us backup. Isaac, Blade, and Jade.”

  “Wait, when will they get here?”

  Kalen stopped at the door to look at her. “ETA is ten hours. Vic wants them to monitor the mercenari
es and run interference so we can get Felix to the authority.”

  She glanced at Felix, who was watching them intently. The tension in the room could be cut with a knife. “Is that wise? If someone is trying to kill him, the authority won’t stop them. They could be waiting for him there. Walking him in could be signing his death sentence.”

  Kalen frowned. “What do you propose we do? We can’t hide him forever, and we can’t take him back to Fin-Dieskau with us.”

  “I know. I just don’t like the situation.”

  “We’ll decide in the morning,” Kalen said, turning decisively to the bathroom and closing the door.

  Elsa turned a little too fast and felt a bit dizzy. She still wasn’t 100 percent yet. Felix was at her side in an instant, holding her arms to steady her. “Thanks.”

  He gave her a lopsided smile. “No problem. Let me help you to the bed. I can sleep in the chair next to the bed in case you need me.”

  She may have needed him for her wounds, but she also wanted him. She wished she could just pull him into the bed with her, but the timing was all wrong and it really wasn’t the best way to start a relationship. Elsa resolutely decided to ignore her thoughts of Felix and walked over to the bed. She pulled down the covers.

  “I’m surprised you’re not handcuffing me,” Felix said as he settled into the chair next to her and placed a pillow behind his head.

  She raised an eyebrow. “Do you want me to handcuff you?”

  His eyes darkened as he looked back at her. “Maybe later, when my situation has changed. I would love to have you restrain me.”

  Her heart beat faster at his meaning. Images of him on her bed with his hands tied above his head had her body flushing with arousal all over again. “We’ll see.”

  Chapter 9

  Felix felt like every bone is his body was popping in and out of place. The chair he’d slept in last night was horrible. He stood up and stretched. Kalen was already up and dressed in another business suit. He had purchased Felix clothes from the gift shop, which meant he had his pick from a bright purple jogging outfit with the city name on it or a pair of green plaid golf shorts and a polo shirt. He chose the shorts. The gift shop had only had sandals, and Felix declined those. He walked out of the bathroom and waited for a reaction. It didn’t take long.