“I know that. He’ll find a way to search the house. It won’t be easy and he’ll never find the tunnels or the men.” She looked at Kaden and Nicolas. “You’ll have to really guard Jeff. He won’t be able to move fast. Who’s with him now?”
“Ian and Tucker. They won’t let anyone bother Jeff,” Kaden assured her with absolute confidence.
“Good. My escape is just going to make Colonel Higgens all the madder. He’ll definitely come here with a warrant of some kind. He doesn’t like anyone thwarting his plans.” She leaned into Ryland. “You were right about him.”
“I want to hear the disk,” Arly said.
Ryland tossed the tiny disk to the security man. “You have anything that will play that?”
Arly caught the disk and stood up straight, digging through his pockets until he came up with a miniature voice-activated recorder. “Absolutely. I took it with me thinking it might come in handy if we were stopped.” He popped the disk into the recorder after removing the blank one.
There was a small silence then a voice jumped out at them. “Take him to the clinic. Pump him full of that shit. Zap his brain a few times with electricity and it will look like he had a stroke. I want him dead by tomorrow.” The sound of Colonel Higgens’s voice was harsh. “And when Miller takes his sleeping pill tonight, take him to the clinic and fry his brain. I’ve had all I can take of his insubordination. Get the job done this time, Winston. I want Hollister dead and Miller a vegetable. If that doesn’t convince Whitney his experiment was a failure, kill the son of a bitch. Tell Ken I want Miller taken care of tonight.”
“Miller doesn’t sleep much. We can’t go near him if he’s awake.”
Higgens swore. “Ken can’t field Whitney’s calls forever. Sooner or later Whitney will get through to Ranier. I can arrange something for Ranier, maybe a fire. It has to look accidental. You can’t just kill a general and his wife and not have an investigation. Faulty wiring would do it. First things first. Arrange for Hollister to have a breakdown so we can cause a little brain damage and get rid of that bastard Miller.”
There was utter silence in the room. Ryland let out his breath slowly and looked at Lily. “I’d say that would be enough to convince Ranier. Arly, can you make copies for us?”
“No problem. I can make several and we’ll keep the original in Lily’s little safe room.” Arly winked at her.
Lily reached for the phone and called the general’s home. After a brief conversation she looked at the others in frustration. “The maid said they were out for the day and would return tomorrow morning. She wouldn’t say where they went. At least he’s taking precautions.”
“Why don’t you all get some rest? You were up all night and it’s nearly noon now. If we can’t talk to Ranier, we may as well take a break.” Ryland wanted Lily to sleep. The bruises on her body were becoming more apparent with each passing hour.
“I can cook a meal for everyone,” Rosa offered, throwing her support fully behind them in the one way she knew. “And I’m a nurse. Let me see this man who is ill.”
“Rosa”—Lily slid deeper beneath the sheet—“make them do those exercises. I’m too tired to see that they do them.”
“I thought we were taking the day off,” Gator protested. “Kicking back, watching the old bondage films.”
“You must never take a day off from the exercises,” Rosa scolded. “It’s important to do them every day.” She started herding the men from Lily’s bedroom, but suddenly turned back and marched stiffly to the bed. Glaring at Ryland she snatched up the handcuffs and took them with her.
Arly, falling into step beside her, leaned down and whispered wickedly in her ear. It earned him a slap on the arm but Rosa could be heard giggling as she closed the door behind them.
“Did you see that?” Ryland demanded. “She took the handcuffs.”
Lily wiggled out of the robe and let it fall to the floor. “So you wouldn’t think about using them on me.”
“I wasn’t thinking about using them.” Ryland shoved a hand through his dark hair, tousling the curls more than usual. “Why does everyone think I’d use metal cuffs? I’d use silk.” He leaned over Lily, pressed a kiss between her breasts. “I wouldn’t mind tying you up but I’d use silk.”
Her laughter was smothered by the pillow when she buried her face in it. “Poor baby, no one will believe you. Rosa thinks you’re kinky.”
“Well, I am,” he admitted. “But just with you. And she took the cuffs and went giggling out of the room with that bondage freak Arly. Now that’s scary stuff.”
Lily summoned enough strength to smack him with the pillow. “That’s disgusting. Don’t even think about the two of them doing anything together. Rosa is like my mother and Arly…well…he’s Arly.” She looked at Ryland. shook her head. “No way. It isn’t possible. They would never…” She trailed off again and shuddered.
Ryland laughed at her. “Yes they would. He looks at her with that look in his eye. Men know these things.” He dropped his clothes on the floor and slid beneath the sheet, wrapping his body around hers protectively.
“I don’t want to know so don’t let me in on it if you find out Arly and Rosa are seeing one another. Do you think General Ranier and Delia are really okay?”
“I think Ranier is a wily tiger and Higgens grabbed the wrong tail. He’s gone somewhere to stash his wife. That’s what I’d do, and he’ll come back prepared to fight a battle. He won’t stop until he’s dead or he’s won.” He circled her body with his arm, cupping her breast in his palm possessively. “I didn’t much like having all those men in here knowing you were wearing nothing but a sheet. We’re going to have some serious talks about underwear.”
Lily laughed and turned over to face him. Her gaze drifted lovingly over his face. “You’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. When you’re around, I can’t see anyone else.” Her fingertips traced the contours of his face. Found the rough-edged lines, the small scars, his stubborn jaw. All the while she looked at him with love.
“I’ll have to make certain I’m always around, won’t I?” he said.
“I think that would be a good idea,” Lily agreed.
NINETEEN
RYLAND came awake just after nightfall. He lay listening to Lily’s soft breathing. She lay close to him, her body pressed tightly against his, fitting up against him like a glove. When he shifted, the texture of her skin, rose petal soft, slid over his rougher skin, reminding him always of the beauty of a woman.
He had checked on the men several times throughout the day. Most slept but Nicolas was always awake, always on the watch. He simply grinned or saluted or nodded, but rarely spoke. Ryland stretched lazily, trusting to Arly’s alarm systems, but not to the easy way everyone seemed to treat Lily’s bedroom.
He slipped from the bed and locked the door, ensuring complete privacy. Naked, he padded to the window and slowly slid the heavy drape to one side so the moonlight would spill across the bed and illuminate Lily’s skin. He found it astonishing that she didn’t recognize her own beauty. She took his breath away as she lay there sleeping, her dark hair tumbling like so much silk on the pillows.
It was exciting to stand there in the shadows and watch her as she slept. To be able to pull the sheet from her body and simply enjoy the lush sight. To devour her with hungry eyes. The cool air hit her body and she moved, sprawling out in the bed, one hand flung across his pillow as if reaching for him. His body hardened into a painful ache. Every cell needed her. His heart pounded when he looked at her. Lily. Where had she come from? How had he managed to find her? Elusive Lily. Sometimes he felt as if she were water he held in the palm of his hand, tantalizing a thirsty man, only to slip away just when he went to take a drink.
He wanted her. All of her, not just her body, but her heart and soul and her brilliant mind. His jaw hardened. Few things escaped him when he hunted. Lily was too important to him to let her slip away.
Lily turned her head toward him unerringly, as if sensin
g danger in the darkness. “Ryland? Is everything all right?”
“It’s just perfect, Lily,” he answered.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking at what’s mine.” He waited a heartbeat. “Thinking about all the ways I want to make love to you.”
“Well, then.” There was soft amusement in her voice, soft invitation. “Is all that thinking getting me anywhere?”
His hand cupped his body, slid over the hard thickness, testifying to his response, to his indulgence in fantasies. “I think so.”
“Come here where I can see.” Lily laughed softly, joyously in invitation. “I’ve always thought indulging your every fantasy would be fun. What is it you want right this minute?”
Ryland thought about it. “More than anything, I want to take away every bruise on your body. I want to get rid of every sore spot and replace it with feeling good. I want you to forget nightmares and sadness and think only of me, even if it’s only for a few minutes. I want you happy and I want to be the man who makes you happy.”
Lily felt a curious melting sensation in the region of her heart. Her body turned instantly to liquid heat. It wasn’t at all what Lily expected him to say. Ryland was a wild man when it came to sex and he was standing over her with a predatory look on his face and raw hunger in his eyes. His body was hot and hard and demanding urgent relief. How was it possible to resist him when he could say things like that so sincerely?
“Come here, then, Ryland,” she called softly.
He walked to the side of the bed, watched her turn on her side, reach for his body with caressing fingertips. She stroked his thighs and he let her, wanting to make her happy, knowing instinctively she wanted to explore his body in the same way he needed to explore hers. Her palm was hot on his thigh, her fingernails raking his skin lightly. Then her hand cupped his sac, squeezed lightly and teased so that he gasped with pleasure, shifting his stance to move closer.
“Lily,” he protested, but it was a plea for mercy.
“No, just let me. I want to memorize you. Your shape. I love the way I can make you feel.” The moonlight was spilling across his body. She liked watching her fingers on him, shaping him, dancing over him, teasing and making the breath slam out of his lungs. He could make her lose her mind so easily. With his hands. His mouth. With his body. She wanted to know she could do the same. That they had equal power between them.
Ryland could see it mattered to her. His body was as hard as a rock and her lingering caresses just might kill him, but he figured he’d die happy. “Someday, when the others aren’t around, I’ll share this with you, the way you make me feel. You’ll feel it too,” he said. The words came out between his teeth. He was watching her face emerge from the shadows, slowly inching toward him. She was beautiful, every classic line, her small patrician nose, her full, generous mouth. Her long feathery eyelashes. And her eyes. She looked up at him and he felt himself falling forward into her eyes.
Her mouth was hot and tight and wet, sliding over him, her tongue doing some kind of dance that had his brain exploding right out of his skull. His hands fisted in her hair, thumbs caressing the silken strands. He allowed his head to fall back and he closed his eyes, giving himself up completely to her, to the pleasure she brought him.
Her hands were everywhere, shaping his firm buttocks, exploring his hips, sliding along the columns of his thighs. She traced his ribs, his flat belly, urged his hips to a slow, leisurely rhythm all the while the flames of sensuality licked over his body.
When he knew another moment would take away all control, he gently, reluctantly, moved away from her. It was a struggle to get his breathing back, to find a way to force his leaden legs to move. Ryland made his way to the end of the bed and knelt there, looking down at her.
“Lily, I want this night for you. I want you to feel how much I love you. When I’m touching you and kissing you, when I make love to you, I want you to always know it isn’t just about sex. There’s so much more between us. I don’t have pretty words to wrap it up in. All I can do is show you.”
“You have beautiful words, Ryland,” she protested. His fingers were massaging her calf muscles, taking her breath, robbing her of speech. It was always like that with him when he touched her. And he was right. She could feel his love. It flowed through his fingertips when he caressed her scars and each sore muscle. It was in his lips as they touched each bruise. In his tongue as it swirled over the discolored marks in a lazy sweet healing. The way he loved her brought tears to her eyes.
Ryland made his way up her legs, found her tight black curls, and delved there for treasure. Lily nearly came off the bed. He simply caught her hips and dragged her closer, indulging his taste for her. Making his claim. He wanted her to know there was no one else in the world for her. Or for him.
Lily cried out as wave after wave of ecstasy rocked her. Ryland’s hands pinned her hips, leaving her open and vulnerable to him. He took his time, worshiping her body, heightening her pleasure in every possible way he knew. And his knowledge was considerable. She gasped for mercy, pleaded with him to take her, begged for his possession. All the while her body responded to his every touch.
He took his time, a leisurely exploration, every shadow, every hollow, committing to memory her every response. He found the bruises and the sore spots. He found every sensitive spot. She was frantic, trying to pull him to her, whispering to him there in the dark of the night.
Ryland settled his body over hers. Felt her softness, her skin nearly melting under his. Her hips cradled his lovingly. Her entrance was hot and damp with welcome. He pushed into her velvet folds, just the thick head so that she bathed him with flames. “Tell me, Lily. I need you to say it out loud.”
Her gaze moved over his face. “Say what? I think you already are hearing me. I want you deep inside me where you belong.”
“We fit together. We were made for each other.” He pushed inside her deeper, her tight channel grasping, resisting, only to soften and welcome. The sensation ripped him up inside. “Do you feel that, Lily? Do you think it’s ever been this way with anyone else? Do you think it ever could be?” He thrust a little deeper. His breath slammed out of his lungs. His fingers curled possessively around her hips, held her still while he took her slowly. His way. Thoroughly.
“I love you, Ryland, I’m not looking for another man. Tell me. Say it. What is it that you’re looking for from me?”
Her eyes were too blue. Saw too much. Ryland could see the intelligence there. She was everything he was not. Rich. Smart. Sophisticated. She had more education than he would see in his lifetime. He tightened his hold on her and plunged in deep and hard. Long strokes designed to drive them both out of their minds. Take them from the reality of the world and into another of heat and fire and passion where nothing else mattered and she was wholly his.
There in the bed, in the light of the moon, he was a part of her. Would always be a part of her. He took himself to the limits of his control, riding her hard and deep, was rewarded with her breathless cries, her hands clinging to his, her body wildly meeting his, matching every rhythm he set without hesitation. She followed his lead with complete trust, without inhibition, giving herself fully to him.
Lily heard her own voice crying out, heard a sound in his throat as the flames engulfed them, as the world exploded around them leaving behind colors and lights and so much pleasure she could only lie there gasping for breath and staring up at his face. His beloved face. She loved every rugged edge, every scar, the blue shadow he could never quite get rid of. Wave after wave of pleasure shook her, an explosion of shocks, leaving her locked with him, sated, happy. Belonging.
She wrapped her arms around him tightly as if she could keep him there, in the same skin with her, the same body while their hearts pounded frantically and each tiny movement by one or the other sent a shock wave tumbling through both of them.
Ryland propped himself up on his elbows to take some of his weight, but refused to give her back her bo
dy. He feathered kisses up and down her face. Lingered over her mouth. “I love everything about you.”
“I noticed.” Her fingers tunneled in his hair. Curls. Ryland was all rough edges but he had shiny blue-black curls on his head. She loved it.
“I want to settle a few things, Lily.”
Her eyes widened. A slow grin curved her mouth. “This sounds suspiciously like those ‘we have to talk’ moments in the movies.”
“We do and be serious.”
“I can’t possibly think, let alone talk!” she protested. “I don’t have a thought process anymore. You short-circuited my brain.”
“Lily, you still haven’t made a commitment to me. I want you to marry me. To have children with me. Do you feel the same way?”
There was a moment of silence while she stared up at him. He felt the response in her body, the slight movement to try to get free. “That’s not fair, of course I want those things with you, I just don’t know if it’s possible. I have to find out what’s in that room, Ryland. There’s so much I still don’t know. I have to search for those women. I made a promise to my father and I intend to keep it.”
Ryland’s hands tightened on her shoulders, gave her a little shake. “I need to know it wouldn’t matter to you, Lily. Tell me it wouldn’t. We can keep that damn room and read every file, watch every video, find those women together and make certain their lives are good. Tell me nothing we find will ever tear us apart.” He framed her face in his hands, his body blanketing hers. “If you can say that to me, and mean it, then I say keep the room. We may need his expertise. Who knows, our children may be the real thing. But if you can’t, Lily, if you can’t look me in the eye and mean it, I swear I’ll destroy everything myself.”
Lily’s vivid blue gaze drifted over his face, studying the intensity of his expression, the steel in his glinting eyes. A slow smile curved her mouth. She leaned into him, kissed his nose, his mouth, each eye. “Do you know how very silly that threat is? If I wanted to keep the room intact, I’d simply lie to you.”
Shadow Game (GhostWalkers) Page 35
