Danger and Desire: A Romantic Suspense Anthology

by Kimberly Kincaid

  They worked in rhythm and now, with the smell of her and the feel of her slick, swollen arousal on his fingers, and the sensation of her wet mouth on his cock, he lost all control. He couldn’t hold back any longer. “Jenna—” He wanted to warn her in case she didn’t want him to come in her mouth.

  She didn’t slow her pace even as he bucked his hips. “Jen—”

  He increased the friction of his fingers on her clit as he tipped over the edge and came, his body pulsing as she sucked and swallowed. She tightened her thighs, her hot pussy clenching on his fingers, and he knew she was coming too. He kept up the pressure on her clit with his thumb as his body came down after a powerful ejaculation.

  He pulled his hand from between her thighs and gripped her jacket, tugging her forward for another deep kiss. “You are incredible,” he murmured against her lips.

  She had a dreamy look on her face, and damn, but he wanted to taste her like she had him. He wanted to bury his cock inside her.

  But he was leaving, sooner rather than later, and asking for more from her, then walking away, would be cruel to them both.

  Jenna fell asleep after her second orgasm. Something about lying there in Brad’s arms with the owl lullaby gave her a sense of safety and contentment, and when he pulled the blanket over them, wrapping them together like it was a sleeping bag, it was all over. No way could she keep her eyes open.

  She woke sometime later, finding herself still curled against Brad’s side. He snored softly, not surprising given he lay flat on his back. She doubted he was comfortable and felt guilty, especially considering she was basically using him as a pillow. But it felt so crazy good to be in his arms.

  She took a deep breath—taking in his scent along with that of the damp earth and ripe green meadow. Movement above caught her eye, and she shifted to see the male great horned owl take flight and sat up to watch it dive for something on the ground at the edge of the forest.

  “Wow,” Brad said.

  She turned to see his open eyes staring toward where the owl had flown. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “I’m glad you did. It’s not every day I get to see an owl hunting.”

  She lay back down beside him and pulled the blanket over them both again. As good as it felt to be with him, she sighed. “We should probably head back.”

  “Is your father going to be worried you didn’t come home?”

  She frowned. She’d like to think he wouldn’t have noticed, but he was a light sleeper. She’d have texted him when they first decided to see the owl’s nest, but she didn’t want to wake him if he’d managed to get to sleep. It was a no-win situation.

  “He shouldn’t—it’s not like I have a curfew or never go out with friends—but that doesn’t mean he won’t.”

  He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Let’s head back, then, so we don’t cause him more stress if he’s awake.”

  Brad was right, but she selfishly didn’t want this moment to end. She wouldn’t get another one like it.

  It was time to start nursing that wound now, while she was still in his arms. She would savor this memory but couldn’t let herself long for more. Instead, she had to view it as closing a door to a long-held fantasy. The final chapter, not the start of something new.

  She’d accepted his terms, and she’d honor that—even within herself.

  She pulled away from his side and adjusted her clothes, zipping up the coat she’d never bothered to take off. He pulled on his shirt and coat. They both stood, and he grabbed the blanket and stuffed it back in her pack, then slung it over his shoulder.

  She started for the edge of the meadow, but he caught her hand, anchoring her in place. She turned to face him, and he stepped forward, putting his arms around her. When her body was flush with his, he lowered his head to kiss her.

  She kept her mouth firmly closed as his lips brushed over hers. She needed to steel her reaction to him now, before she came face-to-face with him in the bar, when he was out with friends and she had to serve him and pretend nothing had happened between them.

  Her body remained stiff in his arms, even though she wanted to melt against him. She could do this.

  He raised his head. His eyes held concern. “I’m sorry, Jenna. I wish it could be different.”

  She shrugged and stepped from his embrace. “No big deal. I understand.”

  She didn’t, not really. They’d had three years for this to happen, and he waited until the end of the fourth quarter to finally make a move?

  There was nothing she could do to protect herself other than play defense and let the clock run out. She headed for the path that would lead to her car.

  “You’re angry,” he said.

  She wasn’t, not really. Just sad. But she didn’t want to tell him that. “I’m not angry. I’m glad I finally got to be with you. But since this can’t go any further, it’s best that we not pretend there’s more to it than there is.” She picked up her pace. The faster they got to the car, the sooner the painful part of the night would be over.

  “I really like you, Jenna.”

  She shrugged. “So? That doesn’t change anything.”

  “I know. I just wanted to be sure you know. I care about you.”

  But clearly, not enough.

  They hiked the rest of the way in silence. Inside the car, she turned on the heat to cut down the chill she’d picked up during the hike. They were only ten minutes from the main gate of the Raptor compound.

  She pulled to the side of the road before they reached the final curve before the guard shack. She didn’t know if they even had someone on duty this time of night when there wasn’t an active training going on, but she wasn’t about to take chances. As an employee of the only bar in town, she knew the guard and pretty much everyone else who worked in the compound. Sure, Brad had an excuse for needing a ride home, and a nighttime hike wasn’t a big deal in summertime here, but she didn’t want a witness if their goodnight got awkward.

  Everyone in town knew she had a crush on Brad, and if they found out about tonight, they would pity her. They’d think he used her.

  Truth was, she’d used him. But no one would see it that way, probably not even Brad.

  She kept the engine running and put the car in Park, then twisted in her seat to face him. “Thank you for taking me to see the nest.” She cleared her throat. “And for the orgasms.”

  He smiled and she could see some of the tension leave his shoulders. “Thank you, kitten.”

  She let out a snort of laughter. “Careful, or I’ll start calling you weasel.”

  His lips twitched as he gave her a mock glare. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  She leaned forward and brushed her lips over his. “Goodbye, Brad.”

  “Goodbye. Not good night?”

  “It’s best if we think of this as goodbye.”

  He nodded. “I’ll put in a request for you to get permission to see the owls without an escort. Since we don’t run operations in that area, it will probably be approved.”

  Her heart fluttered at his thoughtfulness. She couldn’t help herself and leaned forward to kiss him again. Much as she wanted to take the kiss deeper, she kept it light and quickly moved back. “Thank you. I’d love to be able to go back and take photos of the owlets.”

  Her love of photography had started because of her love for owls, which had led to her BFA from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She had thousands of photos of owls she’d taken over the years. The only reason none of them were on the wall in the Tamarack Roadhouse was because many indigenous groups were leery of owls, as they symbolized different—and often ominous—things in native cultures.

  “I’ll make sure you get to do that.”

  “You’re a good man, Brad.”

  “I’m not so sure about that. I shouldn’t have let this happen tonight. I am sorry.”

  She stroked his cheek, rough with day-old stubble. “I’m not sorry it happened. And what you should be sorry for is that you waited so
long before you let it happen.”

  “I’m sorry for that too.”

  She smiled. “Good. Now. Get out of my car. I’m tired, and I want to go home.”

  He laughed. “Sure I can’t kiss you goodnight?”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  He gave a sharp nod, and tugged the latch on his door. “Good night, Jenna.”

  “Goodbye, Brad.”

  Chapter 6

  Afternoon sun slanted across the meadow at the perfect angle to capture the caribou resting in the tall grass surrounded by early season wildflowers. Jenna snapped a dozen photos, adjusting the aperture to capture different field depths. A boom sounded, and the large animal bolted to its feet and charged across the meadow. Jenna snapped photos of the animal in motion, but she hadn’t been prepared for action shots, so these images would probably be nothing more than a ghost of a caribou.

  “I thought Raptor wasn’t supposed to be doing exercises in this area,” Isabel said.

  Isabel had joined her on this excursion to take photos for a Tamarack calendar Jenna was making as a fundraiser for the high school’s art department.

  It had been two weeks since her night with Brad, and she’d finally received permission to visit this part of the compound unaccompanied. She’d invited Isabel along because she didn’t want to revisit the meadow alone, or she’d be likely to do something pathetic, like cry.

  “They’re not supposed to.” She pointed to the owls’ nest. “The nest is protected habitat.”

  “Color me surprised that people on the compound aren’t following the rules,” Isabel muttered.

  “You should ask Nicole about it.” For all of Isabel’s distrust of Raptor and their operatives, she had struck up a friendship with Nicole Markwell, the compound director. “At your next sheepdog and wolf summit.” Both women liked to joke that they were like the characters from the Warner Brothers cartoons, who fought all day, then clocked out and hung out over beers at night.

  Isabel nodded. “I will. She might not know she’s got employees who aren’t coloring within the lines.”

  “But they’ve lost so many operatives to that other private security firm, she might not care.” Jenna wondered how long until Brad left. He’d lasted longer than most. Of the top operatives on Falcon team, only Godfrey and Nate had been in Tamarack longer.

  She hadn’t seen Brad since their night together, which wasn’t unusual when a training was in progress, but today was the last day, and if history was any guide, he would take members of his team out for beer tonight to celebrate another successful training.

  She was eager to see him. And anxious about it.

  She shook off the thoughts and raised her camera to take more pictures of the owlets. The caribou photos were for the calendar. The owls would be for her. A reminder of a windy night and the one time she got to live out a fantasy.

  She was so focused on the birds, she startled when Isabel let out a soft curse. “Seriously. We’re in the middle of fricking nowhere.”

  Jenna lowered the camera to see what Isabel was talking about, and caught on immediately. Across the field, walking straight toward them, was Ted Godfrey and Chase Johnston.

  “It’s not a coincidence. I’m allowed to come here to photograph the owls, but I’m required to call and tell them when I’ll be here and give the names of anyone with me.”

  “You shouldn’t have brought me, then,” Isabel said. “Godfrey is not my biggest fan.”

  “Well, I’m not his biggest fan either. It really sucks that a man so beautiful can be such a dick.”

  “I think it might be a law of nature or something. Men who are that pretty don’t learn empathy, because they don’t need it.”

  “That’s not totally fair. I mean, Brad’s pretty hot, and he’s a nice guy.”

  Isabel gave her a sideways look as the two men stalked toward them. “Got anything to share about the night you gave him a ride home?”

  Jenna had been practicing for this moment, and her response was smooth and easy. “Besides him telling me about the owls, you mean?” She nodded toward the nest. “No. He’s a good guy, but he’s not interested.”

  She didn’t a hundred percent know why she wanted to keep what happened a secret from Isabel—she knew she’d be supportive of Jenna’s choices and feelings—but she did. She liked the idea of this being her and Brad’s secret. She definitely didn’t want Isabel’s pity, even if it did come with emotional support.

  Isabel studied her face for a moment, then nodded. Whether she bought the lie or not was anyone’s guess, but she wouldn’t press the subject, and that was a relief.

  Jenna really liked this woman, who had a deep respect for privacy. No one else in Tamarack was like that. But when everyone had known you since the day you were born, it was hard to set boundaries.

  “What are you two doing here?” Godfrey asked as soon as he was within shouting distance.

  Jenna rolled her eyes. “As if you don’t know.”

  “Nice of your boyfriend to get you access to private property. Does he know you’re bringing Isabel here so she can look for her imaginary cave?”

  “He’s not my boyfriend, and we aren’t here to look for any caves,” Jenna said with a resigned sigh. She could lose access to this property if Nicole thought for a moment she’d brought Isabel here to look for the cave her brother had mentioned in one of his emails in the months before he died. “I’m here to photograph the owls.” She pointed to the nest. “And this area is protected, so if you shot off bear bangers a few minutes ago, you need to cut it out.”

  “I work for the Department of Natural Resources, Godfrey,” Isabel said. “If you’re harassing an endangered species, I will report it to my supervisors.”

  “Those cocksuckers in the DNR won’t do shit, and you know it. Besides, it was Chase who did it.”

  Jenna looked to Chase for confirmation, and the poor kid looked like a reindeer in the headlights.

  “I—I—you—but—” His gaze darted from Jenna to Godfrey, never once glancing to Isabel, who stood to the side.

  “Did he tell you to do it?” Jenna asked gently. She’d overheard the guys talking about Godfrey’s plans to continue mentoring Chase that night at the bar. She’d worried then about such a sweet guy being taken in by a complete prick, and now she was even more worried.

  “Nicole is going to hear about this, Ted,” Isabel said.

  Godfrey’s eyes flattened. He grabbed Jenna’s arm and pulled her aside. “We need to talk.”

  She went willingly, only because she knew he wouldn’t hurt her in front of Isabel and Chase, and she wanted to know what he had to say.

  He pitched his voice low, so it wouldn’t carry. “You need to get your friend to back off.”

  “I’m not Isabel’s keeper.”

  He leaned down and spoke barely above a whisper. “It would be a shame if something happened to those baby owls you love so much.”

  Jenna’s breath left her in a whoosh. She didn’t doubt Godfrey meant the threat, and he’d made certain she was the only person who heard it.

  Everyone in Tamarack knew she had a crush on Brad Fraser, but they also knew she hated Ted Godfrey. People might believe her if she claimed he’d killed the owls, but everyone also knew fledglings died all the time.

  “You are vile,” she said through gritted teeth.

  “Help me out, and everything will be fine. You know she’s way off base in her bullshit claims Vin Dawson was murdered, and everyone in town will suffer if she manages to close the compound. You more than anyone, considering without the trainings, you won’t make enough to buy your dad’s meds.”

  Was he threatening her dad, or simply stating a fact?

  She jerked away from him, yanking her arm from his grasp. “Stay away from my father.”

  The soft chitter of baby owls sounded from above, and she went utterly cold at the malicious glint in Godfrey’s eyes. “Your business relies on trainees coming through town.” He poin
ted to the camera around her neck. “You even sell them photos and postcards. Don’t let your friend fuck things up for everyone.”

  Godfrey turned and continued across the field. He glanced back toward Chase and snapped, “Move it, Johnston. We’ve still got five miles to cover.”

  Chase gave Jenna an apologetic look, then scrambled after Godfrey.

  “That was thoroughly uncomfortable,” Isabel murmured once they were out of earshot. She rubbed her arms. “Chase was staring at me in the weirdest way. Like he was looking through me.”

  Jenna frowned. That wasn’t like Chase at all. Sweet. Kind. Always friendly, even when nervous. “I don’t like it that Godfrey has taken him under his wing.”

  Isabel shuddered. “Nicole says—and even Nate has confirmed—Godfrey is a good soldier and a solid trainer, but I don’t see it.”

  Jenna watched the men disappear into the trees. “I don’t either. I don’t think anyone on Falcon likes him. Except maybe Chase.”

  “I wonder if Chase even has a choice? They follow a military command structure, and Godfrey’s ranked third in the organization here.”

  “Probably not. Poor kid.”

  “What did Godfrey say to you?” Isabel asked.

  Jenna studied the redhead. Isabel was stunningly beautiful, with features that made her look delicate—almost fragile. But Jenna suspected the woman was anything but. She had moved to Tamarack to take on a mercenary organization all by herself, after all. Jenna didn’t need to hide the truth from her—and even more importantly, Godfrey’s threats wouldn’t change Isabel’s course.

  “He wants me to convince you to back off in your efforts to shut down the compound. He threatened the owlets, and possibly my dad—but that was vague and might not have been intentional.”

  Isabel’s eyes widened. “I’m so sorry, Jenna. I—”

  “It’s okay. I’ll deal with it. Don’t stop what you’re doing. If anything, Godfrey’s behavior makes me more suspicious of Raptor. What is he trying to hide?” Jenna wasn’t a hundred percent on board with Isabel’s theory about the cave with the lynx petroglyph—after all, even Vin had claimed it was all a dream—but she didn’t doubt Godfrey was hiding something, and he feared people investigating Isabel’s brother’s death could expose whatever he was involved in.