Southern Regions (Southern Desires Book 4)

by Jeannette Winters

  Your mother.

  “This urn is . . . you don’t understand,” Marina said, her voice filled with a nervous edge.

  “Then help me to understand.” Her feelings were important to him, but he wasn’t sure how to help her. If he could help her. Womanly advice wasn’t his strong point. Hell, I don’t have a fucking clue what to say or do. I avoid this shit, and now I’m asking for Marina to open up to me. I must be losing my mind.

  “Oh, Kevin. You don’t know how hard this is. I’ve never trusted anyone except my mother. Now you’re asking me to trust you just as much.”

  That’s not what he’d thought, but whatever she was about to share was important to her. He was honored to be put in the same class as her mother. Trusted. Had he earned it? No. Did he want it and need it? Yes.

  “I won’t break that trust, Marina. You have my word.” He meant those words.

  “To test the vaccine, you need the virus.”

  He’d assumed that much. What that had to do with her mother he wasn’t sure.

  “When my father told me I needed to leave the lab in North Carolina immediately, something didn’t seem right. I was in the safest place yet I was being relocated? When I tried to reason with my father he only became irate, telling me he’d have his staff handle the specimens, the vials containing the virus. I couldn’t let that happen. I knew if anyone ever got their hands on it . . . well, you know what could happen.”

  “I do. What did you do to prevent that?”

  Once again he watched her hold the urn close to her.

  “I know their protocol. They search everything, all my bags; nothing is too personal.”

  Kevin noticed her cheeks flush slightly. “It must’ve been difficult having absolutely no privacy.” He hadn’t given her much either.

  “You grow immune to it in some ways. They never searched anything in front of me. My bags always traveled apart from me. The one thing they let me take with me was—”

  “Your mother’s ashes.”

  She looked up and met him in the eyes, and what she said next floored him. “They were my mother’s ashes. Now it contains one of the deadliest viruses created. These are the only samples in existence. Now you know why it was so important for me to visit my mother and retrieve her urn.”

  Holy shit! The virus is here only a foot away from me. Fuck! If Mark and the others had any clue what Kevin was protecting right now, this place would be covered from top to bottom with a special security force. Instead, it was just him. He felt sick with the magnitude of what he was protecting. He could hold his own in hand-to-hand combat, but he was a fighter pilot. This wasn’t a one-man operation by any means, and he wasn’t in a cockpit.

  Looking at the urn in her arms, he didn’t want it out in the open. It needed to be someplace safe. Someplace it won’t fall. “Why don’t you put it down, slowly?”

  Marina sat it on the coffee table between them and leaned back on the couch, staring at it.

  “Is it—?”

  “Safe? Yes.”

  Thank God. “So what did your father think happened to the vials since they weren’t in the lab?”

  “I had left something there that would’ve taken them some time to analyze. When they didn’t show up at my new location, I knew my father had intentionally had me leave them behind. For what purpose I didn’t know. I only knew he didn’t get what he was after.”

  That was a risky move for her to take. The general could’ve turned on her at any time. He didn’t. Although, he also didn’t let her go. She was a prisoner for what she knew. And she still is. “That was a very brave thing to do, Marina.”

  “All I did was protect my work from being used to—”

  “Become a weapon of mass destruction. Like I said. Very brave. Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I need to reach out to Mark.”

  “Why? You promised not to say anything.” Her voice filled with panic.

  He reached out for her hand, and looking her in the eyes he said, “I won’t break my word to you, Marina. We do need that dog right now, though.”

  She nodded. “Finally something we agree on.”

  Kevin pulled his phone out of his pocket. Before heading to the kitchen, he stopped and placed a kiss on top of Marina’s head. “I think we agree on more than either of us are willing to admit.”

  As he left, it was the first time that day he saw even a hint of a smile on her sweet lips. If I could, I’d make sure you never were without one.

  Once inside the kitchen, he called Mark. Keeping his word, he didn’t divulge the information about the urn. It wasn’t easy to dance around the subject and still convey the urgency. Thankfully Mark didn’t question him much. He wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad sign. Does that mean things are heating up around Casey and Hannah? Fuck! I wish I could be there to help. There’s no way I’m leaving Marina now.

  While Kevin handled business, Marina decided to shower and get ready for the day. When she entered the bathroom and finally looked in the mirror, she was appalled at what she saw. Her hair was a wild mess, and her eyes were red from crying most of the night. And he once actually had the nerve to tell me I’m stunning? Shocking might be a better way to describe my look now.

  Marina brushed her teeth and started the shower. As she went to unzip the dress she found she was in the same situation as yesterday. The zipper was out of her reach. Yesterday Maggie had come to her rescue. Today all she had was Kevin. I’m not sure I should ask him for help. We’re at a crossroads, and it’s probably best we keep this business only.

  Even thinking of that hurt her heart. What she’d thought was a physical attraction to him was quickly becoming something more. Yes, she found him absolutely delicious to look at, but the time they spent talking only enhanced what she already felt. He didn’t need to be so kind and understanding. It wasn’t his job. When she was talking about her mother and her past, he let her take as much time as she needed. And he truly listened, genuinely cared.

  It was something she yearned for, and she’d long since given up on finding. Is it possible he could be a friend and a lover? “Ugh.” It was an impossible situation. How could she let this happen? Developing feelings was one thing, but with someone she couldn’t have was just stupid. It’s like putting your hand over the flame; you know it’s going to hurt, but you can’t stop yourself.

  There was a knock on the bathroom door. She’d barely heard it over the shower. She was still dressed, so she walked over and opened it. “Everything okay?”

  Kevin nodded.

  He wasn’t saying anything, and she didn’t know what to make of that. “Good, before I close the door could you give me a hand with something?”

  “Of course.”

  She turned her back to him and said, “I can’t reach the zipper. Would you be so kind?”

  Marina lifted her long dark hair from the back of the dress and waited. She didn’t feel his hands on her, so she turned around to face him. The look in his eyes told her he didn’t trust himself to touch her so intimately. The same hunger she felt was burning in him as well.

  “Kevin—”

  “Marina, you don’t know how badly I want to touch you. If I start unzipping you, I’m not going to want to stop.” His voice was deep and gravelly with need.

  She felt heat spread from the pit of her stomach, and her pulse raced. It’s what she wanted, needed. After all, they both could die at any minute, guarding the virus and her knowledge. Would it be so wrong? Marina wanted to tell him she felt the same, yet she wasn’t able to say the words. Instead, she turned her back to him again, lifting her hair, she waited. Her answer was in the zip of the dress.

  Holding her breath and closing her eyes, she hoped to feel his fingers on her back. She’d almost given up hope when his warm hands touched her. He struggled with the zipper but eventually brought it down to the base of her spine, exposing her back. She let her hair fall from her fingers. Then she slipped the dress off her shoulders, and it fell to the floor.

 
; Marina hadn’t worn anything under the dress, and now she stood naked before him. She was offering herself to him. For once in her life, she wanted to forget planning and calculations, forget next year or even tomorrow. Forget about the doom and gloom and uncertainties that continuously followed her. This wasn’t about being weak. It was about knowing what she wanted and choosing to live in the here and now. The ugly truth was this might be all they had. Once she was at the lab, she knew things would need to change. Her focus would be on the vaccine. The testing had to be done on herself, and there was no guarantee it’d work.

  Marina hadn’t told Kevin the extent of what was needed to complete the testing, but it hadn’t been an oversight either. She knew he’d never allow her to test herself, and she’d never test it on him. They’d be at a standstill. That was something the world couldn’t afford.

  Marina needed to brush those thoughts from her mind for now. Kevin was here with her, and she wanted to enjoy whatever time they had. She would face tomorrow when it came.

  Slowly Marina turned again to meet Kevin’s eyes. All it took was one look and she was lost. The kiss they had first shared was nothing compared to what she yearned for now. She boldly stepped closer to him until her bare breasts were pressed up against his T-shirt. “Kiss me, Kevin,” she whispered breathlessly.

  He didn’t hesitate. Kevin bent down and claimed her lips. Opening her mouth, their tongues danced and teased of promises yet to come. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself into his embrace. He tasted so good, and she wanted to explore and taste every bit of his amazing body.

  He pulled back, and she feared this piece of heaven was going to end. Instead, he lifted his T-shirt over his head and tossed it aside. Then he unzipped his jeans and removed them along with his boxers. Marina watched every movement as he revealed more of himself. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen him naked. The last time she’d turned away shyly. Not today.

  “Care to join me?” Reaching out, she took his hand in hers and led him to the shower.

  She tested the water, and it was nice and warm, but not nearly as hot as Kevin was. Stepping into the tub, she wondered how they were both going to fit. Kevin was clearly over six feet tall, and this tub wasn’t built for the type of fun she envisioned. We can start here and finish on the bed.

  Once inside he pulled so her back was against him and the hot spray of water beat down on his back. She could feel his hard erection pressed firmly against her skin. She wanted to turn and touch him, stroke him, kneel, and taste him, yet he held her firmly in place.

  Then with one hand Kevin grabbed the liquid soap, put some on the loofah, and slowly started to wash her. First her hand, then an arm and shoulder, and then down the other one. Eventually, he moved across her abdomen and up to her breasts. While he washed one, he played with the nipple of the other. Her body was on fire with need.

  He pushed her gently, so she stepped a few inches from him. She didn’t want to break the connection, and he sensed it. His hands never let her go. This time he washed her back and kissed the nape of her neck as he did so.

  No matter what he might want, she needed to feel his skin against hers again. Leaning back, she melted into his solid hard body. He took a step back, so the shower head was above them both, letting the hot water run over her, washing away any soap while his hands continued caressing her. Kevin bent slightly while kissing her neck. He towered over her, but she fit against him perfectly. His hand came from behind and cupped her breast again. Yes. This feels so good.

  She needed to touch him as well. Reaching one hand behind her, she captured his hard cock and started to gently stroke him. She heard him moan as she cupped his balls with her other hand.

  “Marina.” His voice growled with need.

  “Please, Kevin, I want . . . need . . . to feel you inside of me.” With her hand, she tried to guide him but he was so much taller than she was. The angle wasn’t going to work. Using his foot, Kevin nudged her feet, and her legs opened. She lifted one foot and put it on the edge of the tub. With one hand on her hip, Kevin bent his knees, so his cock was now between her legs.

  She let go long enough to reach for his cock again but this time from between her legs. It was hot and hard, and she rubbed it against her folds. Kevin had removed his hand from her breast and rested it on her shoulders, gently urging her to bend forward for him.

  Marina released him as she felt the head of his cock about to enter. He stopped. “Marina, I don’t have any condoms.”

  It was the first time she’d even thought about contraceptives. She wasn’t on any birth control; it’d been years since she’d been with anyone. No matter how badly she wanted him inside her, the risk of pregnancy was there.

  She stood up again and turned to face him. “I’m not on anything. We can’t . . . take the risk.”

  For a moment she tore her eyes from his, knowing he must feel angry with her as though she’d led him on. That wasn’t the case.

  Kevin tipped her face up. “Look at me, Marina.”

  She did as he asked. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking . . .”

  “Neither was I. All I knew was how much I wanted you and have since the moment I laid eyes on you.”

  “But now you’re . . . and we can’t . . . ”

  “We can do other things.” Turning the shower off, Kevin reached out and grabbed a towel. He tousled her hair with it while she looked up into his eyes. Then he ran it over her skin slowly, tenderly, until she was dry. Marina reached to take the towel from him, but he brushed her hand aside. So she watched as he toweled himself off much less patiently.

  Tossing the towel to the floor, Kevin swept her up into his arms and carried her to the bedroom. Laying her on the center of the bed, he covered her body with his. “I might not be able to enter you, but I can still taste you and give you some of what you need.”

  A moan escaped her as he slid his hand between her legs and his fingers parted her wet folds. His thumb pushed them apart until he found her swollen clit. He circled it while staring into her eyes.

  “Tell me, Marina, do you want this?”

  “Yes.” Her voice shook as she replied.

  Then he moved lower, so his mouth replaced his hand. Oh, yes. She opened her legs wider as his tongue darted out and licked her. First he circled her clit, teasing her beyond belief, then he sucked it causing her legs to tremble. He entered her with one finger, he penetrating her deeply, fingering her G-spot while he continued to lick and suck her clit.

  He moved in and out of her faster then added a second finger when her body started moving to meet each thrust of his hand. It felt so good she never wanted it to stop, but the waves of passion turned into a fire as her body began to shake wildly. She couldn’t hold back any longer.

  “Kevin,” she screamed as she clenched around his fingers. She moaned and moved against him until she was spent.

  Although her body was relaxed, she could still feel his hard cock pressed against her leg. Marina reached down and grasped him. “I believe it’s my turn to enjoy you.”

  Kevin rolled onto his back, his cock at attention, waiting for her. She slowly ran her fingers up his thigh, over his hip, and finally rested on his swollen shaft. He was larger than she’d first thought.

  She rubbed him against one cheek and then the other while watching his expression. His eyes had darkened, and she saw raw need in him. Her body still tingled from the pleasure he’d given her; she wanted to leave him in the same sated state.

  Never breaking his gaze she blew gently before she licked the tip. A deep husky groan rumbled through him. She felt his body tense. Her tongue continued to lick him from the base, up his length, to the tip.

  “Marina,” he growled.

  Taking him deep into her mouth, she took all he’d give her. Then she began stroking him with one hand and sucking him, teasing the head with her tongue before going deep. Each time her rhythm increased. Kevin held back her hair that’d fallen in front of her face. She knew he was
watching everything she was doing, and it gave her pleasure. Faster, deeper, sucking, knowing she was driving him as crazy as he’d done to her.

  His breath was ragged. “If you don’t stop, I won’t be able to hold back.”

  She removed her mouth from his cock only long enough to say, “I don’t want you to. I want to taste you.”

  She took him into her mouth again, sucking and stroking him, knowing he was on the edge. He tried to pull back, but she wouldn’t let go. He tangled his fingers in her hair and called out her name over and over again as he released his hot juice in her mouth.

  She drained him, taking every last drop he offered. She had never tasted a man that way.

  When his body was relaxed, she crawled up to lie in his arms. Kevin pulled her against him, holding her close. She felt such peace and tranquility at that moment. Neither wanted to speak to break the spell. It would end, but for now they’d hold on to each other as if tomorrow would never come.

  Chapter Eleven

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  Kevin lay in the bed for hours, holding Marina. Last night had been amazing. She was bold and spicy, but there was a sweetness he couldn’t forget. If he didn’t need to touch base with the team, he wouldn’t get out of bed all day. The feel of her naked body against his could render him immobile, a willing captive.

  Carefully he slid his arm out from beneath her, pulled the covers up, and tucked her in. He brushed a strand of hair that’d fallen across her face to one side. The sun was trying to peek through the drawn shades. She looked peaceful, so content. He knew exactly how she felt. It was as though all the problems in the world had vanished while they lay there holding each other. If only it were so easy.

  Kevin went into the bathroom, found his jeans, and pulled them on before heading for the living room. He’d received a text from Mark during the night. It wasn’t ideal, but they found a new location, this one in Georgia. It was too close to Hannah and Mark’s home in Savannah. The last thing he wanted was to bring trouble back there. And it’s sure to come. When is the only question.