by Bianca D'Arc
That crazy thought haunting his mind, Simon’s orgasm hit him like a fifty-caliber round, punching him skyward in a blinding rush of light and pleasure so intense, he nearly blacked out. He heard her cry out under him and knew she had found the same shuddering release as he spasmed within her tight depths.
She was magic, pure and simple. His Mari. His love.
They spent the day in bed, sleeping only to make love again and again. Mariana had given herself permission to enjoy this time without worrying about the future. It was the only way she could deal with this whole messed-up situation.
Zombies running around in the woods. Simon, back in her life, in her bed. It was all too bizarre and almost too much to take in.
They’d moved to her bedroom in the afterglow of their first climax together in years. Her bed was bigger and more comfortable than the one in the spare room. Simon had carried her in his arms from the spare room to her room and planted her in her big, fluffy bed. Then they’d lazed there all day, making love and chatting about commonplace things when they weren’t dozing in each other’s arms. Those were hours out of time, floating in some utopian world.
She had gone into the kitchen once or twice to get them sustenance, but other than that, they’d either been sleeping or making love since sunrise. By sunset, she was sore in places that hadn’t been sore since Simon left, and in desperate need of a shower. She soaked in the hot stream of water until Simon came in to fish her out.
That led to a slippery encounter in the shower that almost landed them both on their backsides. Simon’s sheer brute strength saved them from more than one potential fall that could have cracked both the porcelain bathroom fixtures and Mari’s bones. She was also delighted to discover his inventiveness was back in full force. He had taken her in every position she could think of and a few she had never even contemplated throughout the day. She’d loved every minute of his possession, his passion, his desire.
Only one thing was missing, as it had been during their halcyon days years before. He had never uttered those three little words she longed to hear. She’d always thought and hoped he had felt the same way about her as she had about him, but he’d never said it in so many words. Mariana thought she’d be beyond the need to hear it now, yet the niggling thought remained with her while she dressed and headed for the kitchen where Simon had promised to prepare a meal before he went out on patrol.
They hadn’t talked much about anything serious during the day, spending their time either sleeping or making love. All in all, she’d had worse days, but she didn’t think she’d ever had better. Her body was deliciously sore and even with her mind in a whirl, she was looking forward to spending as much time with Simon as she could…before he left her again.
She resolved not to think about that now. She might be deluding herself, but she wanted whatever time she could get with him. For however long it lasted.
Entering the kitchen, she saw he had pulled out all the stops. Chicken breasts from her freezer had been thawed and marinated and were now cooking nicely on the stove. He had made rice and green beans, too. He was fairly well domesticated for a man. Of course, special ops guys were trained to survive in many different kinds of situations. The kitchen training though, had to have come from his mother, or some other nurturing influence in his life. This was too much like a family dinner not to have been something from out of his past.
“Where’d you learn to cook?”
He turned, spatula in hand, and leaned down to give her a quick kiss. Before it could turn into something more, she scooted away from the stove.
“Now is that any way to greet your chef?” He shook the spatula at her in mock chastisement, then turned back to turn the chicken.
“If I let you greet me any more, our dinner would end up burnt to a crisp.”
He tilted his head as if considering. “You may have a point there.”
“So where did you learn to cook like this? It looks and smells wonderful.”
“My mother believed her boys should at least know their way around a kitchen. As it happened, I enjoyed helping her. More than my brothers, at least.”
This was the first time he had talked about his family with her. When they’d been together before, he’d been very reticent. He had never talked about his past or where he’d come from beyond the basic vital statistics. Something had subtly changed within him in the years since.
It wasn’t noticeable at first glance. Only now that some of the barriers between them had broken down, little by little, she was seeing new facets to him that hadn’t been visible before. Anytime she had tried to ask about his past before, he’d managed to steer the conversation back to her. He probably knew more about her family than anyone except maybe her family members themselves. He was as adept at evading questions as he was at evading the enemy.
“How many brothers do you have?”
“Two. One older and one younger. All three of us can cook if we have to, but Jeremy and Bobby don’t enjoy it half as much as I do. They used to joke that I should become a chef and wear one of those poufy white hats. Then I’d pound some sense into their heads and they’d drop the subject. I still like to cook when I get a chance.”
“Lucky me.” She smiled at him as he plated the chicken and brought it to the table. He’d already set out the steaming rice and green beans. It was a simple and hearty dinner that both looked and smelled delicious.
“Did they join the military, too?” They served themselves and began to eat.
“I followed Jeremy in, but he went in for jets in a big way. He’s a test pilot now, the crazy bastard. Bobby got accepted to Annapolis and is on the fast track to the admiralty if my mother is to be believed. The family is really proud of him. He was always a smart, sort of nerdy kid, and he’s grown into a fine officer.”
“He’s still in?”
Simon nodded as he ate a bite of chicken. “Stationed at the Pentagon right now.”
“This is really delicious, by the way. Thanks for cooking. I don’t think a man has ever cooked dinner for me before. It’s nice.”
“Just my way of saying thanks. For letting me stay here and for this afternoon.” His expression shuttered. “Mari, I—”
“Don’t.” She cut him off, unwilling to hear him say it had all been some kind of big mistake. “Let’s just say it was for old time’s sake and leave it at that.”
An uncomfortable silence greeted her words. Not daring to look at him, she applied herself to her dinner and refused to meet his eyes. She was afraid of what she might find there.
“It was more than just old time’s sake, Mari.” His low words forced her gaze upward to meet his. His eyes glittered with something she didn’t know how to interpret. Strange, when she’d thought she’d known every nuance of his subtle communication. “Thank you for today.”
It sounded so formal. She didn’t really know what to say, so she nodded tightly and returned her attention to her plate.
“Are you going back out tonight?” She already knew the answer, but desperately needed to change the subject.
“I hunt every night, and will continue to do so until this is finally over.”
“It won’t be long now though, right? I mean, you said you thought there weren’t too many left.”
“There were probably about six left, near as we can figure. I got three last night, so that leaves three more. Once they’re accounted for, I’ll patrol for a few more nights, just to be certain. Then my job will be done.”
“And then you’ll leave.”
“Then I’ll leave,” he agreed.
“Where will you go? You’re not military anymore, so where do you go between assignments?”
“I have a place in southeastern Pennsylvania, near my folks. It’s a small farm, actually. I don’t have any livestock for it yet. That’s in the works. As soon as I get some time to set things up the way I want them, I figured I’d keep a horse or two, maybe some chickens. Later, when I’m not working for hire anymore.”
“Sounds like heaven.”
“Your dad owned a big spread in Kansas, didn’t he?”
“Yeah, I grew up on the farm. It belongs to my brothers now.” She was surprised he’d remembered, but then, he had managed to get her entire life’s story out of her back when they had been dating.
“You sound like you miss it.”
“I didn’t think I would, but as I get older, I find myself longing for the simple things. A little place to plant a vegetable garden and live in peace with nature sounds like heaven to me now.”
“What about your medical practice? I thought you wanted the bright lights and the big city after your stint in the Navy was up.”
“I guess I did at one time, although I thought I’d stay in the service a lot longer. Things changed as I got older and my priorities realigned. My time in the Navy is almost over. I didn’t re-up. I’ll be a civilian again in just a few short weeks.” She was surprised to hear the almost wistful tone in her voice. “I’ve been thinking about my options a lot. I’ve had enough of the hustle and bustle while I was in the Navy. It wasn’t what I really thought it would be when I was younger. Now a quiet life appeals to me much more. That’s why I opted for this cabin way out here in the woods rather than stay on base or in town. I like the quiet.”
“That’s quite a change from the way you used to talk.” He sat back, finished with his meal, and just watched her.
She shrugged, uncomfortable with his scrutiny. “I’ve changed in the past few years. My priorities have shifted a bit. That’s all.”
Unspoken went the thought that the failure of her relationship with him had changed her on a basic level. His leaving and his lack of communication after had made her rethink her priorities in a big way. She had spent a lot of time reevaluating her life and her goals. What had seemed so important when she was younger wasn’t nearly as crucial now. No, now the things she had shunned when she left the farm were what mattered most. Family, familiar surroundings, a home to nest in and make her own…and love.
She didn’t know if she’d ever really find it, but she wouldn’t give up hoping that somehow, she would have love in her life. The love of family, of friends, and if she was really lucky…the love of one special man.
The man sitting across the table from her right now, in fact.
But he was a tough nut to crack. She’d tried, and he’d left. She didn’t think she had a chance to convince him now. It was probably too late for them to start over. She would have to settle for what she could get now, because the day spent in his arms had only brought home how much her feelings were still engaged. She loved him with all her heart.
CHAPTER FIVE
Simon went out the door after a lingering kiss. He had made her promise to stay inside and he’d also left the specially loaded dart pistol with her again, just in case. As the night deepened, so did her fear for both his safety and of the creatures that stalked the night with him, evading and possibly lying in wait for him.
She wasn’t foolish enough to go out there, thinking she could be some sort of GI Jane with guns blazing by his side. She knew her limitations, and while she could defend herself if necessary, she was nobody’s idea of a warrior. She could hit what she aimed at and had passed the required self-defense tests, but she was a doctor first and foremost. Her calling was to heal, not to tear apart.
And if Simon was to be believed, those fallen Marines out there were really into tearing people apart and sentencing them to join their sinister brotherhood. The thought sent chills down her spine.
Around four in the morning, Mariana heard a noise outside and peeked out the windows to see if she could see anything. Sure enough, in back of the house, she caught a glimpse of light fabric as someone walked through the woods.
The Marines wore camo or dark green. The figure she saw looked small, possibly female. Could it be little Becky Sue McGillicuddy, the twenty-something girl who lived just over the hill with her elderly grandmother?
If so, the girl was in big trouble. The locals had most definitely not been warned about the danger in the woods. It was unusual to see the girl walking alone this early in the morning, but then, Becky Sue had always struck Mariana as a little odd on the few occasions they did chance to meet.
She had to be warned.
Gathering her courage, Mariana opened the back door and stepped onto the porch. Simon’s specially loaded pistol was in her hand and her heart was in her throat. She could see more clearly now and it was the girl from the neighboring house, walking calmly along the edge of the trees.
“Becky Sue!” She whispered loudly, hoping to get the girl’s attention.
It must not have been loud enough because Becky Sue kept walking at a steady pace, looking neither left nor right. Her path took her nearer to Mariana’s house, but the girl was still in the woods, walking almost parallel to Mariana’s backyard.
“Becky Sue.” She tried again, louder this time.
The girl paused and slowly turned.
Half her face was missing.
Mariana jumped back, her raised hand hitting the frame of the doorway in her haste. She held on to the pistol out of sheer desperation. Becky Sue was one of them. She wasn’t in danger. She was the danger.
The girl changed paths and began walking directly toward Mariana. She didn’t hurry. She didn’t run. She just walked relentlessly closer as Mariana trembled in fear.
She raised the gun, knowing what she had to do. Now she fully understood Simon’s dilemma. Could she shoot a young girl who’d had her whole life ahead of her?
As a doctor, Mariana had dedicated her life to helping people. She had never deliberately shot at someone, even with a dart gun. Especially not a dart gun loaded with a highly dangerous top secret toxin that had to be kept under lock and key. Mariana’s hand shook as she took aim. She had to steady both the gun and her nerves. Becky Sue got closer and Mariana could see her more clearly with every step.
She realized she couldn’t kill the girl. Becky Sue was already dead. Nobody could survive the kind of injuries she displayed and her pale skin appeared to be completely bloodless. She was a zombie. Like something out of a horror movie.
Praying silently, Mariana pulled the trigger.
A dart flew from the business end of the pistol and landed square in Becky Sue’s chest. She didn’t even flinch, just kept coming. No pain at all registered on what was left of her once lovely face.
Mariana fired again. The dart hit lower, in Becky Sue’s abdomen. She was closer now, out of the tree line and halfway across the grassy yard. A sound traveled on the wind. It was an eerie kind of high pitched moan that sent shivers down Mariana’s spine.
She fired once more, backing into the doorway already planning her next move. She would slam the door shut and call Simon’s cell number. If he was nearby, he would come help her. The third dart hit Becky Sue midthigh and her steps slowed. The shock of pain was still missing from her ruined face, but her eyes looked queer for just a moment, then she…disintegrated.
She melted from the top down. In less than sixty seconds, she disappeared. All that was left was a dark pile of…something…in Mariana’s backyard. She wasn’t about to go out to see exactly what it was. Whether the girl had been turned to dust or goo was really beside the point. The toxin had done its job and the once vibrant young girl was now gone forever.
Mariana felt awful about what she’d had to do, yet breathed a huge sigh of relief. She looked around at the woods in case there were any more of them, and seeing none, shut the door, locking it tight behind her. She was safe for now.
She said a prayer for poor Becky Sue McGillicuddy, and one for Simon while she was at it. Now more than ever, she understood how hard this mission was for him. He wasn’t made of stone, no matter what anyone thought. He had a compassionate heart under all that macho bravado. He had to feel something for those fallen soldiers he had to lay to rest. He had to have some feelings about the experiment gone so terribly wrong for those first fallen com
rades, and for the later victims, and the horrific way they had died.
Mariana touched her face, not really surprised to find tears running down her cheeks. She felt sick to her stomach, but muscled through, ignoring the nausea as best she could, keeping vigilant watch on the woods from the corners of her windows. If there were any more of them out there, she now knew what to expect. Of course, Becky Sue hadn’t been a highly trained soldier in life. The others, if they truly retained some of their life’s skills, would be much harder to deal with than the innocent young girl from down the road.
Although she kept watch until dawn, no more of the nightmare creatures came to call. Simon marched in from the tree line as the sun rose fully, looking tired. He paused at the pile of rubbish that used to be Becky Sue McGillicuddy and his jaw tightened. After a moment, he continued toward Mariana’s back porch, a little more energy in his step.
Mariana flung open the door and reached for him as he climbed her back steps.
“Thank heaven you’re all right.” She kissed his stubbly cheek, then his waiting lips.
“What’s this? You’re shaking. And what was that I saw in your yard?” He held her away from him, his expression grim.
“That was Becky Sue, from next door. I saw her in the woods around four this morning and tried to warn her, but…” Her gaze trailed to the lump of dirty clothing and organic debris in her yard. “Simon, half her face was missing. I used the darts you left but she didn’t go down right away. I fired three times. Hit her three times. It seemed to take forever. Just when I was going into panic mode, she…dissolved. Melted, right in front of my eyes.”
Simon tugged her into his chest, placing one big hand on her hair as he hugged her, offering comfort. He felt so good. Whole and unharmed by the terrors of the night. He was her rock of comfort in a sea of confusion. Her body trembled in remembered fear and he calmed her with gentle touches.
