by Mia Dymond
“I thought so,” she murmured.
Inked in severe, exact black lines, the knight stood tall and proud between Rebel’s shoulder blades and balanced a long, sharp sword in his right hand while his left rested on the base of the handle. The massive weapon stretched from the knight’s shoulder blade to the arch of his foot and emulated unmistakable warrior’s pride and power. In capital letters, REBEL was etched along the blade.
A long tunic covered his body, belted at the waist, and adorned with several deep red Celtic crosses on the shoulders and chest. Draped across his broad shoulders, a cloak hung down his back, accenting his regal air. Tall, black boots wrapped his legs from knee to toe.
She smiled as she traced a fingernail over the outline of a second weapon strapped to the warrior’s belt. A back-up plan, she supposed, much like the one her own dark-haired soldier insisted upon.
Although the knight’s head and face were covered by a Medieval, long, square helmet, she knew the identity beneath. In her mind’s eye, long, dark hair flowed from the helmet and deep, piercing blue eyes glowed from the depths.
“My dark warrior,” she whispered.
Rebel rolled to his back and placed his palm against hers. “Forever,” he whispered back.
“It’s beautiful.”
His gaze moved from her eyes slowly down her body and then back again. “Like you.”
“Tell me what you want.”
“I want you.”
She grinned. “Be more specific.”
“That’s all I want. You.”
“That’s really very sweet, but you know what I mean.”
“You decide.”
She raised an eyebrow, considering his directive. He wanted her to decide? Fine, she would – make him tell her, that is. Foreplay, be damned. They could do that later – after they were both satisfied.
Holding his gaze solidly in hers, she climbed over him and pressed his length into her body. “Now, what exactly do you want, Rebel?”
His lips split into a crooked smile and moisture coated her thighs. “I think you know, Miss Sophie.”
“Tell me again.” She lifted her hips slightly and then rotated them in several small, tight circles before lowering herself, pushing him incredibly deep within her body. Her inner muscles squeezed tight, threatening him within an inch of his life if he dared retreat. Once fully seated, she began to roll her hips in a forward motion.
A tortured male grunt left his lips just as those big, talented hands squeezed her thighs, slowing her motion. “Okay, I’ll tell you.”
She nodded as she continued to move.
“Just stop moving!” His fingers pressed into her skin, preventing further movement. “For the love of God, stop!”
He lay still for several seconds, his glistening chest working hard to pull air though his lungs. She granted him a momentary reprieve, careful not to make any sudden movements to torture the oh so hard muscle now nestled inside her. Her inner muscles pulsed around him while his mere presence beckoned an orgasm.
She released a small, desperate sigh and then wiggled against him – partly to put herself out of misery, but mostly to tease him into submission.
“I’m waiting …”
His fingers tightened against her skin and a low, sexy chuckle left his throat. “Fuck me, baby.”
“Oh, yes,” she said over a smile as she resumed her earlier motion, “I intend to.”
With Sophie’s rotating hips working magical torture on his cock, Rebel took several deep breaths and attempted to keep himself from exploding inside her. Her motion worked him hard and fast and he knew that he would have to distract her to stop the inevitable photo finish. He slid a shaking hand between them and pressed against her clit with his thumb.
She released a satisfied groan and thrust into his touch. “Yes,” she hissed.
He answered by rubbing the slick flesh in circles as she continued to move. She leaned forward with her hands on both sides of his shoulders, allowing him greater access to massage.
“Oh God, yes,” she moaned. “Harder.”
He quickly obliged and her body clamped down harder on his dick. Her peaked nipples grazed his chest as she moved on him, closer to his touch. Her breathing accelerated and she tightened impossibly harder around him. Sensing her release, he lifted his mouth and closed his teeth around the base of her neck on one side.
Then, with a soft but very audible feminine groan, she tightened one last time and moisture coated his cock. Her muscles pulsed wildly around him and her movement stopped. Rebel wasted no time.
He rolled her to one side until her back rested against the sheets and then moved her legs apart with one knee while he straddled her.
“Again.”
She gave him a sated grin. “Yeah, no.”
“Yes.”
He quickly entered her, sliding easily into the depths of her body, and began to stroke the recently satisfied muscles. No time for finesse, just a good old fashioned thrust to bring her back to the edge.
“Feel good, baby?”
“Mmmm,” she murmured.
He continued to piston his hips, moving slightly to one side and then the other. “You want it again, don’t you?”
She nodded her silent assent.
“You’re tight again.”
Sweat droplets gathered on his forehead and he worked overtime to keep from ending the incredible pleasure. His cock screamed for relief and his balls threatened to climb the length of the tortured muscle. She was close. He could do this.
“Come, Sophie.”
“I can’t,” she said between breaths.
“You can.”
“No.”
“Yes.” He leaned forward and nipped the top of her shoulder. “And you’ll scream this time.”
With an iron will, he increased his pace until finally she squeezed him in a cock-strangling vice. He continued to push through the grip until something between a scream and a satisfied moan left her lips and she pulsed once again. He needed no further incentive – with one last stroke, pleasure exploded low in his belly, traveled the length of his cock, and then entered her body. Together, their muscles basked in the pure satisfaction of utter contentment.
He bent down and placed a long, soft kiss on her lips as she came down from the high, whispering sweet nothings in her ear while he left her body. Finally, he rolled beside her and pulled her back against him.
“Sleep,” he told her. “You’ll need your strength for later.”
CHAPTER SIX
The next morning, Rebel stood in the middle of Sophie’s office, hesitant about leaving her to work alone. He hadn’t seen Robert when they came in and honestly, he didn’t know if he even trusted her assistant to take care of things. There was just something about sex that made him reluctant to let anyone else near her.
Still, she refused to budge. “I will stay here until you come back to get me. I promise.”
He lightly ran his thumb over her cheek, then her lips. Although she had always been safe in her office before, it still burnt his gut to leave her. Especially since another DuBois was scheduled to arrive within the hour.
“Hang with me today instead,” he suggested.
She rolled her beautiful brown eyes. “I have work to do and we both know you have no intention of letting me work outside of this office.”
“Try me. I think I’m up to the challenge.”
“Really Rebel, I’ll be fine.”
He pulled her into his arms and rested his chin atop her head. He knew arguing with her was fruitless. She’d invariably win and then he wouldn’t be any better off than when he started. She had just become so important to him. He gave her a tight squeeze.
“I can’t breathe,” she squeaked.
He loosened his grip, but only just enough to lean down and kiss her until they were both breathless.
His buzzing phone broke the spell. Irritated, he answered with one hand while he kept her wrapped in his embrace.
“C
aldwell.”
“Where are you?” Chaos asked from the other side of the line.
“At Sophie’s studio.”
“I’ve got some Intel. I’m not far away.”
“Send me your coordinates. Leaving now,” he said as he disconnected.
He gave her another peck on the lips. “Chaos is on to something. I have to go.”
Duty called, but still, he hesitated.
Sophie pushed him towards the door. “Just go. I’ll be fine.”
“You’ve got your phone?”
She pulled it out of her pocket and wiggled it in the air. “Right here and I’ve got you on speed dial.”
“Keep it with you and call me when the shipment arrives.”
She raised herself to her tiptoes and kissed him on the chin. “Dismissed, soldier.”
Rebel sprinted to his truck and met up with Chaos in a parking lot not more than a couple miles away. He pulled up beside his teammate’s truck and cut the engine. Chaos was slouched in his own vehicle with a baseball cap pulled down low over his face, feigning sleep. He grabbed his backpack and laptop and climbed into the passenger side.
Chaos handed him a digital camera. “Thunder’s sixth sense never ceases to amaze me. Take a look at these.”
Rebel palmed the camera and pressed the button to advance the photos. He took one look at the first and damn near broke the camera in several pieces.
“Sonuvabitch!” He glanced back at his teammate. “It’s Dailey.”
“There’s more. Keep going.”
One by one, the frames mapped out the beady little bastard’s whole operation. Dailey with a painting, clearly a DuBois. Dailey exchanging a package with an unknown grey-haired man in a three-piece suit. Dailey, very plainly accepting cash for the package. Although the evidence was purely circumstantial at best, he knew Dailey was somehow involved in shady business. And, he had put Sophie right in the middle.
He handed the camera back to Chaos and then booted up his laptop. “Bluetooth them to me. Do we have ID on the other guy?”
“Nope.” Chaos shook his head. “I figured you could work your computer magic and get us a name.”
He literally stabbed keys on his computer. “I’ll run a facial recognition and maybe we’ll get a hit.” Relief shot through him as he waited for the scan to complete. “Looks like we caught Dailey in something.”
“I’m willing to bet he was involved in the attacks on Sophie.”
“Never bet on a sure thing, my friend.”
“When is the next shipment due to be delivered?”
He moved his eyes from the screen long enough to check his watch. “Sophie should receive it in the next five or ten minutes.”
“Apparently, Dailey wants in on the action.”
He frowned. “How do you figure?”
“See for yourself.” Chaos pointed out the front windshield. “He’s on the move. Buckle up and we’ll follow him.”
Sophie sat at her desk, glancing at the diamond still solidly on her finger and daydreaming about Rebel. No one would ever make her feel as complete as he did. And now that they’d been together, she was sure there would be a tomorrow. Question was, how far would they take it?
She released a hard sigh and tossed her pen to the desk. Worrying wasn’t doing any good. She’d just have to formulate her own plan and then if he didn’t follow, she’d just have to make him. She chuckled under her breath. She now had several new methods of intimidation.
The sound of the front door drew her thoughts out of wishful thinking and caused her to glance at the clock on the computer. The DuBois had arrived. Excited for a whole different reason, she headed into the showroom to accept delivery.
As soon as she signed for the package, she took it into the back room and laid it out on her work table. Very gently, she peeled the wrapping from around the masterpiece, exposing the bold, bright canvas. Every DuBois was like a shiny new toy – she couldn’t wait to admire the beauty. Once the painting was totally uncovered, she sat in awe for the next several seconds. Although Mr. Pennington’s painting had been recovered, he was thrilled to accept another.
Sophie reluctantly pushed her admiration to the side, now curious to see if Rebel’s theory about hidden merchandise was reality. Slowly, she turned the painting on its side and brushed her fingertips along the edges of the brown, paper backing.
She gasped when her fingers passed over a slight bulge in the left upper corner.
Very gently, she tore the edge of the paper and peeled it back. There, in a small, plastic bag, clear gems sparkled in the fluorescent light.
“Oh, my God,” she murmured.
“Beautiful, aren’t they?”
Sophie gasped again and pressed her free hand to her chest. “Robert! I didn’t realize you were here.”
“I just came in.”
“Look what I found under the packaging of the DuBois.” She handed him the plastic bag. “Do you suppose those are diamonds?”
“I know they are.”
She frowned. “You do?”
“Most certainly. I arranged for them to be hidden there.”
Suddenly uncomfortable, she slipped her hand into her pocket, felt for the home button on her phone, and then mentally crossed her fingers that the next button she pushed would be the one that would connect her to Rebel. She swiped her finger across the screen in a blind effort to succeed.
“I don’t understand.”
It was then she noticed he pointed a gun at her. “I think you do.” He shoved the gems into his pocket. “It’s really too bad you found those. I had a very profitable operation here and now you’ve ruined it.”
Although fear coated each and every one of her nerves, she refused to let him see her sweat. “What kind of operation?”
“Surely you’ve figured it out by now. My associates in France place the diamonds into the paintings and then I retrieve them once they arrive in the United States. It worked perfectly until you decided to change things up. I had to hire help to get them from you.”
His explanation made perfect sense. He knew what paintings were being shipped and when. And, he knew where they would be at any given time.
“What about the painting in the hotel?”
“Piece of cake. Since I attended the party, I retrieved the diamonds myself.”
“How long has this been going on?”
Sophie edged closer to the door. Maybe she could run. Robert probably wasn’t a very good shot anyway.
“About a year. Right under your nose and you didn’t have a clue.”
As scared as she was, she couldn’t miss the opportunity to reprimand him. “Seriously? You’re bragging about being a criminal? Do you even know how to use a gun?”
“No. I’m just saying it was so easy. And profitable. But because of your meddling, I’ll have to come up with a new plan.” He moved the gun closer to her. “And yes, I know how to use this and I’m going to start by getting rid of you.”
Frustrated, Rebel closed his laptop. “No match on our mystery guy. Any movement?”
They had followed Dailey to a strip mall that housed an eclectic mix of businesses and watched him enter a coffee shop. Once again, they waited. Chaos was slouched down in the driver’s seat, his baseball cap back in place.
“Nah. He’s still inside.”
Severely impatient, Rebel was contemplating going in for recon when his phone rang.
He glanced at the caller ID. “Hey, Sophie. Everything okay?”
Silence greeted him.
“Sophie?”
Chaos sat up straight. “What’s wrong?” He started the engine.
“She’s not answering me but I hear her talking to someone.”
“Think she dialed by accident?”
“No.” He strained to hear the voice in the background. “Dammit, it’s Dailey! He’s got a gun!”
The tires squealed as Chaos stomped the accelerator. “How the hell did we miss him?”
“He must’ve ducked out
the back.” He slammed his hand against the seat. “I should’ve gone in after him.”
Luck was on their side as Chaos sped through stoplights and dodged relatively slow-moving traffic. “What’s the plan?” he asked as he screeched around a corner.
Damn. For once in his life, he didn’t have one. He needed a plan and fast. “I’m open. You got anything?”
“I can give you a few minutes to get into place. Then I’ll create a diversion and you can make your move.”
“A diversion?”
A tiny bit of worry crossed his brain. A diversion from Chaos cold be just about anything.
“Trust me.”
Oh, he trusted Chaos. With his life. But now they were talking about Sophie’s life.
“Give me five minutes,” he told his teammate as they parked next to the curb. Rebel checked his weapon. “See you on the other side.”
He knew Sophie was just inside the building, but he felt the loss of connection when he tossed his phone on the seat and headed to the door. He took a deep breath and prepared to enter.
Sophie was running out of ideas. It sounded like she was running out of time, too. Robert paced back and forth between in front of the door leading to the showroom, preventing any kind of escape. With no other choice, she attempted to reason with him.
“You don’t have a choice but to surrender, Robert.”
“I think not.” He stopped and turned to face her with his back to the door and an evil sneer across his lips. “Don’t think for one minute that I won’t pull this off.”
“I don’t think so,” she argued. “There’s too many people on to you now.”
He opened his mouth to argue when suddenly an explosion shook the building and a blinding light caused her to squeeze her eyes closed. Robert fell to the floor. Plaster rained down on them and thick, white smoke coated the atmosphere.
Sophie felt for the edge of the desk to steady herself and then coughed in an attempt to clear her lungs. She struggled for a breath of fresh air while she tried to figure out the cause of the explosion.
