He needed to get inside and play nice. Pushing Marina could tip her off that he wasn’t the one she was expecting. He’d get the information they needed on his terms. If he failed, he’d turn her over to Johnson, but he wasn’t going to fail. It was time for plan B. Distract her any way I can until we know if she’s with them or with us. God help you if we find out you’re working with those bastards.
Kevin reached for the doorknob, and to his surprise, it was unlocked. Either she was so damn naïve that she trusted strangers or he was falling right into her trap. He was unarmed, and this could go bad quickly. Backing out now wasn’t an option. Whatever she’d planned, he was going in.
When he stepped inside the cabin, he found it only had the basic comforts. There was a wooden table and chair for eating and a couch that’d seen better days. It had a small fireplace that he couldn’t imagine ever needing. The last thing this place needs is more heat.
He thought she’d have an air conditioner inside to cool the place down, but he noticed only one large ceiling fan moving the hot air around. The cabin was nothing more than an escape from the insects that were so large he’d begun to name them.
There wasn’t any place to hide, so he assumed she was behind the closed door in the back. Kevin took the opportunity to look through what few drawers there were. He found a notepad with numbers on it. He pulled out his phone and snapped a picture before moving on. They’d learned from Floyd that anything could be a message or a file. Or a formula.
He continued through the room, but nothing else jumped out at him. Either you’re good at hiding what you don’t want to be found or there’s nothing to find. We’ll know when Johnson breaks into that laptop.
Kevin looked for some type of refrigeration. Something cold to drink would be nice. You’re not living much better than I am out there. Why the hell would anyone put you here? And why would you stay? He could only guess at the answer. You don’t want to be found. Why? Who are you hiding from? Us? Them? Both?
Kevin was still furious, knowing General Floyd had been a filthy traitor to the country. He’d taken an oath to serve and protect, yet instead, he sold out. Covering up what the terrorists had been doing, what they were after, was one thing. But standing by, knowing damn well they were going to hit the lab in North Carolina with no hint of a warning to the Marines stationed there, was unforgivable. He may as well have pulled the trigger himself. I don’t care if he had a “come to Jesus” moment in the end. There’s no forgiveness as far as I’m concerned.
Floyd wanted Mark to find Marina. Unfortunately, the trail of information he left them didn’t provide any more details than the fact there was a chemist. Was it to keep her hidden from the terrorists or to stop her involvement with them? It was crystal clear early on that only a select few could be trusted. It was ugly. The corruption went deep, and now people were guilty until proven innocent. Even someone who looks as sweet and innocent as you, Marina. He thought about the words she’d shouted out into the darkness. Hell, especially you.
When Marina came out of the bedroom, he noticed all she did was throw on a pair of shorts and a loose T-shirt. What else were you doing in there all that time? Warning someone I’m here?
At that moment, he regretted he’d left his weapons behind. It was a foolish mistake, and one he hoped wouldn’t cost him his life.
“I don’t remember inviting you in,” she said with her hands on her hips.
Once again, she didn’t look afraid. A woman all alone, this far away from another living soul. Your sweet little ass should be shaking in those tiny shorts.
“Unlocked doors are invitation enough.”
“Who needs a key here? It’s not like company drops in.”
He stared at her closely, studying every reaction. “I did.”
Marina’s breasts slightly bounced as she walked toward him, stopping only inches away. No bra. Fuck. I’m supposed to be distracting you. As she looked up to meet his gaze he found he could get lost in those lovely dark eyes of hers. They were even more mysterious than he’d imagined during those long nights alone watching her. There wasn’t anything about her physical appearance that didn’t appeal to him. Damn, you’re more beautiful up close. Not something I need right now.
“Do you have a name?”
“Kevin. And you?”
“Venus.” She turned her eyes away from him as she said her name. I know your name, but you told me something much more important: you lie. And not very well either. Let’s see how far your lies take us.
He was willing to play her game. Besides, he had the advantage, he knew who she really was. Marina Brimlow. “Nice to meet you, Venus.”
She looked back at him as though she was studying him. You can try, but I’m not going to reveal anything I don’t want you to know.
“You don’t sound like you’re a local,” Marina said with a puzzled expression on her face.
“I was thinking the same about you, Venus. What brings you to the bayou?” Soft interrogation, but he needed to see how forthcoming she’d be. Lying about her name felt like it was only the start of a long list of lies to come.
“I’m on vacation. Just arrived a few days ago.”
And so it starts. Lie number two. “Well if you were looking for time alone, you couldn’t have picked a better place. You’re the first person I’ve run into.”
“What about you? What brings you out here?”
“I was out to visit friends but lost the GPS connection on my phone. Then my car broke down, and I’ve been walking for miles. Thought I was going to have to sleep in a tree for the night.”
Marina laughed softly and said, “You look like you’ve been walking for days, not hours and you smell like . . .” She wrinkled her nose as she inhaled his scent. Making a face she continued, “. . . like you haven’t had a shower in a week.”
Try two. “It’s hot out there.”
She nodded as she looked him over from head to toe this time. “You’re dressed for—”
“Hunting with my buddies.” Shit. Forgot I’m in my camouflage uniform. Good thing this one isn’t government issued with insignias on it, or it’d be game over.
“What is it with men and killing things?”
Kevin controlled his laughter. She was so damn serious that he found it cute. It wasn’t as though hunting was a man-only sport. Then he remembered what she did for a living. Marina wasn’t baking cupcakes for a PTA meeting. She spent her time in a lab, creating biological weapons. Guess you think it’s different if you don’t pull a trigger?
“And here I was hoping you were going to offer me some Cajun casserole.”
“Well, you’re not going to find any meat here. I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll prepare a vegetarian delight if you go take a cold shower. You’ll find it out on the deck.”
With you so close, I need one. “Deal.”
Kevin didn’t want to leave her alone again in the cabin; he wanted to keep an eye on her. Whatever she’d been doing in her room was more than getting dressed. He knew where the shower was from watching her each night. She, on the other hand, had no clue she’d had an audience. He headed toward the bedroom as though it might be back there although he knew otherwise.
“Where are you going?” Marina shot at him. It was the first time she seemed on guard.
“The shower.”
She seemed to relax slightly before pointing to the door. Sternly she said, “I already told you it’s out on the deck.”
Yeah, I know. “You wouldn’t happen to have a phone I could use to call my buddies, would you? Mine is dead.” It wasn’t, but he wanted to get his hands on her phone if she had one. Then maybe he could see who she’d been talking to.
“No service here.”
Not an answer. “How about a car? Maybe you could give me a ride back to town after I shower.”
“Nope, no car.”
“How did you get here? Fall from the sky?”
Once again she turned away from him. “A friend dropped me off
.”
She was a horrible liar. Anytime he asked a question she didn’t want to answer, she avoided meeting his eyes. So far Marina had proven to be less than honest about most things. Deception wasn’t a good sign. It was going to take some time to sort out what was true and what wasn’t. Get ready, darling. You’re about to have a house guest whether you like it or not.
Kevin nodded and headed to the deck. Once outside he looked to the table where he laid the laptop. It was gone. Walking to the shower, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and texted Johnson. “Staying. Going offline. Get what you need and return laptop before morn.”
“Roger that,” Johnson replied.
Pressing his thumb against the screen, he put it in sleep mode. It’d look as though it had no power until his thumb pressed against the screen again, as that was the only way to activate it. In case you snoop and find it, you won’t be able to use it.
Kevin stripped off his clothes and stood under the water. It was cool but refreshing. He quickly soaped up, rinsed off, and figured he might as well wash his clothes the best he could at the same time. He made sure his phone was well hidden before he let the water soak in. He then wrung out his clothes and hung them back over the cedar fence. Grabbing the towel hanging on a peg by the shower, he wrapped it around his waist and headed toward the door. Stopping for a moment, he looked toward the brush. One flash said Johnson hadn’t missed a thing. Nodding once, he turned and re-entered the cabin.
When she’d gone out onto the deck one last time to cool off, she’d never thought she’d find someone standing there. Marina couldn’t believe it. I would’ve been stargazing a long time ago if I knew wishing upon them worked. He wasn’t exactly what she’d wished for, rough around the edges and smelled like swamp-ass, but the night was still young. Nothing a razor and a shower can’t fix. I hope. No telling what’s under that beard.
Marina had no idea what had gotten into her. Sex wasn’t something that drove her, not until she wished on that damn star. It was only a physical urge that needed satisfying, something she’d master all on her own. Yet, tonight something different overcame her. A yearning to be caressed tenderly, kissed gently, and loved until the end of time.
Desire and emotions were something she always kept buried. They had no place in the world of science and would’ve only gotten in the way of her research. Yet, something in the air had her thinking about and wanting things she shouldn’t. Her time on the bayou wasn’t being wasted. Every waking hour she continued her research, if only in theory. She knew it was only a matter of time before the general sent for her again. What the general didn’t know was, she had no intention of working for him ever again, and Kevin was her ticket out of the bayou.
She was going to do everything in her power to convince him to take her wherever she wanted to go. Her only dilemma was where she’d have Kevin take her. Until she was sure, she’d need to stall and buy some time. She needed to find a lab of her own where she could start the testing phase on everything she’d logged so far. If the general finds out what I’m up to, it’ll be detrimental to my work. It doesn’t matter that I’m his daughter, he’s going to do everything in his power to stop me from creating a vaccine once he finds out he doesn’t have control of it.
That’s what it was all about: control. The general wanted the power that came with holding a lethal weapon, one she’d developed. What he hadn’t counted on was how far she’d go to stop him. Guess I’m like you, dear ole Daddy. Blood or not, nothing is going to stop me from finishing what I started. Not even the guy you sent to bring me back under your thumb.
She could almost picture the look on his face when Kevin showed up empty-handed. Her father didn’t accept failure. She almost felt bad for Kevin. There was something in his eyes that said he wasn’t what he appeared to be. Unfortunately, she knew all she needed to know about him; she knew where his loyalties were. Anyone who worked or was tied to the general in any way was someone she couldn’t trust in the slightest.
As she opened some canned vegetables, her mind wandered back to Kevin. Why is this man playing it so darn cool? Like I didn’t know he was here on the general’s orders to relocate me?
She’d grown accustomed to the routine, and this didn’t fit. Mr. Scruffy didn’t fit. But, if he wanted to make it interesting, she’d go along with it. It beat what she’d come to expect, clean-cut and boring as hell. None of them ever cracked a smile, and they sure as hell weren’t so damn handsome. Of course, his predecessors always smelled better. I know it’s hot, but that smell couldn’t be from a short hike. Oh, God. Don’t tell me that’s what the chopper is going to smell like, too. Maybe I’ll chance the wildlife and walk out of here instead, might be less deadly.
When she offered him the shower it was more for her comfort than his. No way was she going to be able to stomach eating with him smelling so bad. If I had any clothes for him, I’d burn his.
She was smiling to herself when she heard the door shut behind her. It was time to pull herself together, stop thinking like a scientist, and just be a woman. I can do this. I’ve been around plenty of the general’s men. All I have to do is convince him I’m not the person he’s looking for. They never seem to believe someone like me could do such dangerous work, so I’ll use that and get him to give me a lift out of here. Simple.
Turning around, she realized nothing about Kevin was going to be simple. Oh my God, this man is perfect except for his beard, which he really needs trimmed. I think I can overlook that. He was standing only feet away from her with a towel hanging so low on his hips it looked like it was about to slip completely off. She opened her mouth to inform him that his nudity was unacceptable, but nothing came out. Instead she stood with her mouth gaping wide open, ogling him as though she’d never seen a naked man before. Oh . . . his damn sculpted abs, no . . . that didn’t do him justice, his well-defined six-pack with the V leading to sweet bliss, no doubt.
“Thanks for the shower.”
“You’re welcome.” Marina’s voice shook as she tried to speak. All I need to do now is drool, and I’ll have made a total fool of myself.
She rushed to her bedroom, opened a suitcase, and pulled out one T-shirt after another. Marina was glad she’d packed so much now because running around without clothes on was going to stop with him here. Now all she needed was to find something to cover him up. He might not have any issue with his lack of attire, but she sure did. She pulled out a silk nightgown and giggled as she imagined him trying to put it on. She tossed it to the side. His body was going to cloud her thoughts at a time when she needed to be focused. If Marina blew this now, she’d find herself right back under her father’s thumb. That means anybody who needs the vaccine will never be able to access it.
Finally, she located one that looked like it’d fit. Or at least, she hoped it would. Now for some bottoms, because if what is beneath that towel is as impressive as what isn’t, I’m in serious trouble.
Most of her clothes were made to fit her. She knew she’d brought a baggy pair of sweatpants with her, thinking they’d be great on cold nights. She had never needed them. Pulling them out from the bottom of the bag, she held them up. Her sexy guest was much taller and built like a truck. How these were going to conceal anything on his large frame was beyond her, but it was worth a try.
Marina found Kevin leaning against the counter in the kitchen area with his arms crossed in front of him. Here she was all flustered, and he looked as relaxed as though they were an old married couple. She didn’t trust herself to hand them to him, so she tossed them across the room. The shirt went one way and the pants another. Kevin lunged forward to grab them both. He succeeded but not before the towel dropped from his hips onto the floor.
She spun around but her eyes still caught what’d been hidden. Just what do they feed you where you come from that it grows that big? Damn. Her legs trembled, and she held onto the back of the couch as she spoke. With all her strength she forced her voice to sound as unaffected by the sight of his peni
s as possible. “Please put them on so we can sit and eat.”
Marina was hungry all right. She licked her lips at the thought of how delicious he’d be. I’m in so much trouble. Dinner would’ve been easier with him smelling bad. This clean, good-smelling version is going to be nearly impossible to ignore. My body is turning against me.
She waited and listened as he pulled on the clothes.
“You can turn around now,” Kevin said.
Marina wasn’t sure she wanted to. He could eat alone, but she needed to keep an eye on him. He was up to something, and she was going to figure it out.
When she turned, she almost burst into laughter. The T-shirt, so loose on her, looked like it’d been painted on Kevin’s sculpted frame. And it didn’t hang low enough to cover anything important. As her eyes made their way to his southern regions, she found her sweatpants accented his bulge even more than the towel had.
Marina walked over to the veggie casserole. Somehow she’d lost her appetite. She weighed the situation and decided it best if she put some distance between them. Staying there was only going to risk her doing or saying something she’d regret later.
Scooping a large helping of the casserole onto a plate, she set in on the table. She didn’t bother to put the remainder away as she figured a man like him would probably want seconds. I could go for thirds with a man like you. Fourths, fifths . . .
Marina grew angry for her lack of control. She’d only met Kevin thirty minutes ago, and her body was tingling all over like a teenager waiting for her first kiss. Nothing is going to happen. Nothing can happen. He works for my father, and that means he’s the enemy.
Pouring him a glass of tea, she handed it to him on her way to her room. “I’m tired. Why don’t you eat and then get some sleep? We can talk tomorrow.”
Southern Regions (Southern Desires Book 4) Page 3
