by Alice Ward
I suddenly missed my family.
“Thanks, Dad. I’ll call more often.”
“See that you do. I like to hear your voice, son. A visit would be even nicer.”
Yeah, it would be nice.
“Soon.”
He chuckled. “I won’t tell your mother you said that. Don’t want to get her hopes up.”
That jab hit center mass.
“Goodbye, Dad.”
“Bye, son.”
I ended the call, feeling even shitter than before, and no closer to knowing what I should do.
I’d sleep on it. I’d just close my eyes, get a good night’s sleep, and reconsider everything tomorrow. I’d see Sloane tomorrow and kiss her all day if I had to. I’d get those shooting stars under control. No electricity was going to conquer me.
At least that’s what I hoped.
CHAPTER TEN
Sloane
Leaning with my back against the door, I held my fingers to my pulsing lips as my mind raced.
Why did he leave me like that?
Slowly, I went to the bathroom to look in the mirror to see if something was wrong with me. I half expected to see something peeking out of my nose or a smudge or something on my face. Instead, I found my normal face, free of any faults.
“So why’d he leave?”
I put my hand in front of my mouth and breathed out to see if my breath was stinky. “It’s not that.”
Leaning in to inspect myself further, I looked into my eyes. “Maybe he just didn’t get the same sparks you did, Sloane. Let it go.”
I turned and walked out of the bathroom, knowing I wasn’t about to let it go.
We had a spark, dammit.
Traipsing into the living area, I was about to fall on the sofa when I saw a light come on in Smith’s bungalow. Hurrying to the window, I peeked out and saw that Smith and his girlfriend were leaving. I’d been wrong about them staying in for the rest of the night.
Now would be the good time to sneak into his place and see if I could get any incriminating photos. Moving quickly, I had to put the Zane business out of my mind.
Finding the wet suit in my bag in the bedroom, I pulled it out and sighed. It was a complete bitch to put on and take off, but it was a necessary evil. It was black, so it would keep me from being seen too easily. And it was waterproof if I had to slip into the water. It would also give me a place to hide my Glock, unlike any of the bathing suits I had with me.
With a bit of tugging, I got into the suit and pulled a black mask over my face. If Smith had any type of security camera set up, I wouldn’t be recognized on it. I noticed he’d left the door on the deck open. That might be because he had other ways of keeping his things safe or he might just be a dumbass. Either way, I wasn’t about to take any chances.
I grabbed my phone and gun so I’d be ready if I encountered Smith. He might have a gun too. I had to cover all my bases. Moving out onto the deck, I gave a quick glance at Zane’s place. His lights were all out. Had he already forgotten about me and fallen asleep?
Bastard.
Had our kiss meant nothing to him?
Shaking off that mess, I headed off my deck and walked down the pier to get to Smith’s. They’d left the light on in the living room, making it easy to see. But I’d be easy to see too. I had to be careful.
If I was lucky, paradise would have made Smith stupid, and he’d forgotten to lock his safe or left a suitcase of evidence open. I knew it wouldn’t be that easy, but a girl could hope. I could impress the home office with my quick actions, then go home and forget about all this.
That stopped me. Did I want to go home?
No.
But I had a job to do and putting it off wasn’t the right thing to do. I willed myself to stop thinking about leaving or staying with Zane and moved into the bedroom. It was dark in there, and I could move around more freely.
There was no sign of any security system. No cameras that were readily evident. There was one large bag, but it was empty. I took a picture anyway.
The bed was a wreck of disheveled sheets. I was thankful for the mask. At least I didn’t have to smell the sexual funk that surely filled the room. Now the open door made sense. They needed to air the place out.
And there I was, back to thinking about Zane and me. How would the bed look after he took me? How would it smell? Would our smells combine to make a pleasing aroma?
I bet they would.
I bet everything that Zane and I did would smell great, feel great, sound great.
Ugh, I had to stop.
Back to being a professional FBI agent, I carefully checked every drawer but came up empty. I checked for loose floorboards and for covert spaces in the walls, but couldn’t find anything there either.
He must have rented a locker at the airport or in the main lodge under lock and key. Up there, they had real security systems. I couldn’t search any of those areas. But if I found him getting into a safety deposit box or an airport locker and got a picture of that, then we’d have enough evidence to bring in a couple more agents to check it out.
I was merely the forerunner. If I noted anything suspicious, I’d have to stand back and let the big boys do all the really dangerous work.
The thought pissed me off. I’d like to be here when the shit went down. I’d seen it on videos but never got to participate. And man, did I want to participate.
I was an expert with my gun because I’d practiced more than most. Even though the powers that be at Quantico didn’t think I was ready for more, I knew I could hold my own if I had to. The academy was a place I loved. Anytime I was given a chance to further my knowledge, you could bet your sweet ass I did. I was the first to raise my hand, and I pushed myself hard to get what I wanted.
This was my chance to prove myself.
Just as I began to make my way out of the bedroom, I heard a high-pitched giggle.
They were back.
Adrenaline shot into my system, making me quicker, my eyes on the door. I could make it out, but I wouldn’t make it out of their line of sight, I knew.
Moving like a snake, I slithered along the wall and out the sliding door onto the deck. But they got into the house before I could get back onto the pier. Tucking my gun and phone into my wet suit, I dove smoothly into the water, turning below the surface so that I was hidden by the decking when I broke for air.
From this position, I couldn’t see, but I could hear. More giggles, then the telltale squeaking of the bed. As the first moan escaped the woman, I ducked beneath the surface and swam for the ladder.
On the second rung, I stopped and listened again. Nothing. I was hidden now, not just from the sexed up couple but from anyone who might be around to witness my escape. Taking a quick look, I saw that Zane’s lights were still out. Resting peacefully, I guessed.
Shithead. Really? Our kiss did nothing for him at all?
Most women thought of men as simpletons. Not me. I found them complex as hell. I didn’t know what any of them really wanted. I’d always thought it was sex. I guessed I was wrong. At least where Zane Boyd was concerned, I was.
Moving up the ladder, I gave one more look around as water pooled at my feet. I wanted to avoid going inside with the wet suit on, so decided to strip on the deck. With only the high moon, I wasn’t worried about being noticed.
Taking off the mask, I tossed it onto one of the chairs. The gun and phone followed before I began the process of wiggling out of the tight skin.
Shaking the excess water off the best I could, I laid it over the railing to drip dry a few more minutes before taking it inside. I didn’t want Zane to see it and ask questions.
Zane.
There he was, back in my head again.
Why did he leave?
Damn. I was tired and thinking of him was just too much. I needed a break. A nice hot bath would do the trick.
Naked aside from my flimsy underwear, I held my arms out, enjoying the breeze on my heated skin before grabbing my gear a
nd heading inside.
Hanging up the suit in the bathroom to finish drying, I turned on the water to the huge soaking tub before going back to the tiny kitchen for the bottle of wine. Pouring a glass nearly to the brim, I rummaged through the suitcase I had yet to unpack for my pajamas and toiletries.
Back in the bathroom, I turned off the lights then lifted the blinds so that I could look out onto the water while the moon surrounded me in its silver lumens. I downed half the glass before lowering myself into the deliciously hot water.
Ah, peace at last.
Except it wasn’t as peaceful as I’d hoped. Not with the water gently lapping at my breasts, making me wish it was Zane’s tongue stroking me.
Well, hell.
Sinking lower into the water, I sighed, knowing it wouldn’t do any good to force him away. Very slowly, I opened my legs and let my mind take me where reality had forbidden.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Zane
Lying on my bed, the full moon, along with the memory of the kiss, was keeping me awake. My mind kept moving in a dangerous direction. A fantasy was trying to play out in my head, but I was trying to keep it at bay so I could fall asleep.
When the taste of Sloane’s lips just wouldn’t go away, I ran my hand down to stroke myself. Rubbing one out should give me some relief.
My eyes were still on the moon and the calm waters when I saw a few ripples on the surface, spiking my curiosity. Maybe a shark was patrolling the waters near my little bungalow.
Climbing out of bed, I pulled on a pair of shorts and went out to the living room. Before I made it to the deck, I saw what had made the ripples. Pressing against the wall, I held my breath as I looked out the side window. Someone in a black wet suit and a mask was coming up Sloane’s stairs, leaving the water.
Just before I went out to grab the individual trespassing on my girl’s deck, the mask came off, and there was Sloane’s beautiful face and blonde locks.
What the hell was she doing?
I continued to hide as I watched her. My cock went hard as she unzipped the suit, taking what looked like her phone and a… what the hell? A gun. What the hell was she doing with a gun? And how the hell did she get it through customs?
Even as the questions were still swimming through my shocked mind, I watched her peel out of the wet suit, leaving her bouncy breasts exposed in the barely there bra. Her panties might as well have not existed. She was practically naked to my prying eyes.
The questions were beginning to pile up. And Sloane was beginning to show more and more creamy flesh. The moon gave it a shimmering glow that took my breath away.
With one last wiggle, she had the thing off and laid it over the rail to dry. Then she just stood there, her arms out as if basking in the moon’s soft glow. She was breathtaking, and so fucking mysterious. When she finally walked inside, I was left standing there with a hard dick and full of curiosity.
Why a late-night swim? Why a wet suit? Why the mask?
I stepped out on my deck, trying to see what she did next. I could practically follow her shadow throughout the small hut. The bathroom. The kitchen. Her bedroom, and the bathroom again. The lights there went off and I wondered if she’d gone to bed.
Before I could investigate further, the light on the deck on the other side of hers came on, and the couple Sloane had been following came out. My growing cock stopped and went back to normal size as if it knew there was business to attend to.
The guy lit a cigarette as he stood there, looking at the moon.
“Thanks for taking me out for a late dinner, darling,” the woman said then kissed the guy on the cheek.
“You’re welcome, doll. Now, go get the bed ready. After this smoke, I’ll come rock you to sleep.” He smacked her on the ass as she turned to walk back inside.
I processed the information. So, the couple had gone back out, and that must be why Sloane had on the wet suit. She took advantage of their absence to snoop around. I’d bet a million bucks that’s what she’d done.
But why was she snooping?
Or did I have it wrong, and she was looking to steal something?
Was my little Sloane a cat burglar?
If so, was I in danger of being her next victim? I had quite a chunk of change in my safe. An expensive watch was in there too. Should I be wary of the woman? Was she here to rob us all?
Maybe the couple next door was just her first target. Maybe I’d be next. I had to admit, I hadn’t seen that in her. But one never knew. Don’t judge a book by its cover was a cliché for a reason.
Flipping on the light on my deck, I decided to say hello to the guy. There hadn’t been anyone in that bungalow before that day. It was quite the coincidence that they arrived the same day Sloane had.
Had Sloane been casing the couple, perhaps from as far back as the airport or even before that? Who knew how the mind of a thief worked?
I gave a short whistle as I waved at the man. He looked my way and waved back. “New to the island, I see. When did you guys get in?”
“This morning.” He blew out a puff of white smoke from the cigarette. “You been here long?”
“A week. How long you here for?”
“Two weeks or so. I’m playing it by ear.” He took another long drag and looked up at the moon.
“Name’s Zane.”
“Charles.”
“Nice to meet you, Charles. You here on business or pleasure?” I was getting somewhere with the man. I hoped my little acquaintance with him would benefit Sloane if she needed help with that. Well, unless she was a burglar. If she was a thief, then it might not make her too happy at all.
“A little bit of both.” He flicked the cigarette out into the water.
I scowled at the pollution but forced my face to go back to neutral. “Oh, yeah? What kind of business?” I was getting some good information. I’d slip it out to Sloane a little at a time and watch her reactions. That would be fun.
“If I told ya, I’d have to kill ya.” He laughed like that was some great joke he’d just made up.
“Got ya.” I gave another wave. “Nice to meet you, Charles. I’m sure we’ll see each other around. This island is pretty small.”
He smiled, gave me a wave, and nodded. “Nice to meet you too, Zane. Night.”
After turning the deck light off, I went back inside and got into bed to think about what I’d found out. Sloane was indeed some kind of a detective or a crook. The man was from New York. He had that distinct accent. And he was here on business as well as pleasure.
It had to be the kind of business he was into that had Sloane following him. Either he was into some bad shit, and she was there to get the goods on him. Or he was wealthy, and she wanted some of what he had. Either that or she was watching him or the woman because they were having an affair. It had to be something like that.
If it was an affair, Sloane had probably been hired by the man’s wife or the woman’s husband. That’s the only thing that made any sense. I wondered how happy Sloane would be when she found I had introduced myself and that would give her an in with the couple.
I bet she’d be overjoyed. But she wouldn’t show me any kind of reaction. She couldn’t. I understood that.
I’d help her on the down low, and keep her safe too. She’d need some muscle if anything went wrong. Even if she was a crook, I couldn’t let anyone hurt her.
Something was building deep inside of me. I’d never been the protective type. Something about the woman had that coming out in me. Sloane had a muscular body, and I was sure she could throw a punch, use her gun, or some other self-defense tactics. But what would happen if she was punched or worse, shot?
No, I had to be around her all the time now that I was certain she was into something she wasn’t telling me about. I had to keep her safe. She needed me. She might not know it, but I did.
The memory of how her body glowed in the moonlight eased into my head, and my cock twitched in pure lust. I slid my hand under the sheet, pretending i
t was Sloane’s hand stroking me to life.
I imagined her blonde hair blowing around her face as the nipples of her full breasts contracted from the cool air. I closed my eyes, and she seemed so real. Her skin. Her taste. The little mewling sounds she made. The whimpers. The gasps for air.
My lips pulsed as I thought about wrapping them around those sweet dusky-colored tips. She’d arch with desire, whisper my name, and run her hands through my hair as I sucked, kissed, and nipped her delicious flesh.
I stroked myself, thinking about her getting wet for me as my hand moved down to settle between her thighs. She’d beg me to fill her, using soft-spoken words to encourage me to fuck her until she was crying my name out over and over.
But I wouldn’t fuck her yet.
First, I would kiss every inch of skin I exposed as I stripped her clothes from her body. Her thighs, knees. Her feet and toes. I’d turn her over and kiss her calves and the lovely hamstrings that created a path to her perfect ass. I’d leave her sweet pussy for last, pushing her legs wide so I could watch the butterfly of her sex open for me, revealing the honey-slicked folds.
I tightened my fist and stroked myself harder, imagining her scent as I lowered my head, that first taste as I trailed my tongue up her center, the way her body would tighten as I took her clit between my teeth.
Faster, I stroked myself, lost in the fantasy of Sloane’s lips replacing my hand. I hissed as I imagined how it would feel when her tongue dipped into the tip, her teeth scraping the shaft as she tried to take me into her throat.
“Yes…” I growled as my balls tightened, my cock pulsing in my fist. I was close.
But I didn’t want to come yet, not until I could imagine watching her face as I slid into her for the first time, her body stretching around my girth, filling her like she’d never been filled before.
Her nails would be on my back as I began to spear into her over and over, feeling her body tighten and tremor beneath mine. I’d watch her face as I pushed her toward the edge, watch her eyes as she flew. But I wouldn’t stop. Not until she was spent, completely worn out. No fight left in her.
I was furiously moving my hand to catch my cock up with my fantasy when I felt the first twinge deep inside me. I closed my eyes, cursing Sloane’s name as I came, thick ropes of cum shooting onto my stomach and chest. I groaned so loud I was sure Sloane could hear it next door.
