Surviving Love: Saints Protection & Investigations

by Maryann Jordan

  “Hey, sweet girl, what’s wrong?” he asked, his eyes full of concern, reaching up to cup her cheek.

  Blinking furiously, she tried to ignore the way she felt when he called her sweet girl. Clearing her throat, she replied with forced lightness, “Nothing!” Turning her back to him, she stepped away and slid one arm into the strap of her bra while still holding her shirt in front of her. Trying to maneuver the other arm, she heard him approach her back.

  “Here, let me help,” he said softly, assisting her from behind while preserving her modesty. He knew something was bothering her but hoped it was nothing more than the stress and fatigue building.

  Turning back around, her shirt firmly in place, she smiled shyly. “Thanks. I’ll get us something to eat.”

  Her eyes darted to the door and he saw fear implanted in their depths. “I’ll go outside and see what’s going on with the storm. And when you need to relieve yourself, I’ll have you go to the right of the cabin and I’ll be close by.”

  Her eyes widened as she exclaimed, “I don’t think I can go now that I know bears can come after us!”

  “Honestly, he should have still been hibernating, so I don’t think we’ll be bothered by another one. I don’t know why he was out and about anyway, but I think he must have been a fluke. But we won’t take any chances.”

  Nodding gratefully, she watched as he swung open the door, the night’s snow having drifted up outside even more. Sighing, she continued to keep him in her sights as he stomped through the drifts and moved toward what was now a large lump in the snow. The blizzard had completely covered the grizzly and, while she was glad not to see it’s carcass, just knowing it was there had her adrenaline kicking up again.

  Grabbing her coat, she pulled on her boots and moved back to the doorway. He nodded and she tromped through the drifts around to the right side of the cabin and, finding the spot he had dug out, she quickly jerked her pants down and squatted. Annoyed with the difficulty of it all, she groused about how much easier it would be to be a man and just whiz in the snow while standing instead of having her ass get frozen. Taking care of business, she pulled her pants back up before washing her hands in the snow. It was a freezing process and one that she did not think was very effective at getting rid of germs, but she at least felt cleaner performing the task.

  With a quick scan of the area, glad to see nothing more than the snow covered forest, she hurried back around the front corner, slamming into a rock hard body. Bouncing back, she stumbled, grateful his arms snagged her to keep her from landing in the snow.

  Chuckling, he pulled her close and said, “I forgot how fast you can move! You go on in. I’m going to try to make a call.”

  Nodding she hurried back inside, eager to hold her hands over the stove. After they warmed a bit, she moved to the duffle bag, pulling out two more protein bars and the bottle of snow-melted water. A few minutes later, Marc came back in, talking on his phone.

  “Yeah, we’re fine. She was amazing…I couldn’t have had better with me,” he said, winking at her. “But we were lucky and the sooner you can get us out of here, the better.” Marc had called Jack, wanting to get an update on the rescue. “Does Luke have any thoughts as to who might have been circling the downed plane? There are no tracks from there to where we are now, so Bart’ll have the advantage, but we’re going on day three of this snow. I know it’s supposed to clear in a few hours so I want to make sure Bart gets to us first.”

  He continued to talk for several more minutes as Kendall sat on the sleeping bag, munching her breakfast bar. She listened as he spoke to his boss and allowed herself to finally think that they could be rescued today. Her eyes were riveted to his large frame as he walked around the small hut, able to put more pressure on his ankle than the day before. He still hobbled, but he appeared to be exercising as he moved.

  His body mesmerized her, from the panther-like way he moved so stealthily, to the way his arm muscles flexed just from holding the phone to his ear. His five-o’clock shadow was now a full, dark beard, untrimmed and scruffy, but it only added to the dangerous masculinity he exuded. She could not help but smile…he’s every woman’s dream and I got to spend this time with him. Swallowing her chuckle, she realized as crazy as it seemed to be glad to have been sabotaged, almost killed, stuck in a blizzard, doused in a frozen creek, chased by a grizzly, she could now only think of how lucky she had been to have the chance to get to know him.

  Brushing off the crumbs from her lap, she stood just as he finished his call. Looking up, she handed him the other protein bar as she waited to see what he would tell her.

  Marc reached out and took it, gratefully ripping off the wrapping and taking a bite. Chewing, he appreciated her not pestering him with questions as he worked over what he and Bart would need to coordinate. Looking down, he really thought, maybe for the first time, of how perfectly the two of them worked together. To have such different backgrounds, after such a short time they appeared seamless in their movements.

  Unfortunately, that thought had him thinking of their movements the night before and his cock twitched. His eyes dropped to her ass as she bent over to shake out the blanket and the sleeping bag before replacing them back on the floor. As she turned back to him, his hungry eyes roved over her body, his cock now swelling and eager.

  Stepping forward, his arms encircled her and, without a word, he bent to claim her lips. Any resistance she may have considered melted away as she leaned into him, his lips strong and pliant. He lifted her up, ignoring the twinge of pain in his ankle, and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist as their tongues tangled together, each losing themselves in the kiss.

  Her hot core was pressed against his cock, now painfully pressed against his zipper, all other thoughts flying from his head as he slid one hand to her ass, pressing her even closer. Hefting her slightly to signal his intentions, her legs dropped back to the floor as he allowed her body to slide slowly down his front, groaning in her mouth as his hard cock ached for release. As he peeled her shirt off her body, he knew she was not just any willing woman—he only wanted her.

  Kendall lifted her arms as she allowed him to strip her, knowing it would be their last time. Once rescued, he would go back to his life of missions and his cabin and his outdoor pursuits. And she would return back to the lab and her lonely existence.

  Stripping from her pants and panties, she stood naked before him, her porcelain body glowing in the morning light that slipped through the cracks and the firelight as it continued to flicker. Undressing quicker than he ever had, he stood over her as she lay back on the sleeping bag. Her eyes moved over his body, every muscle ripped and defined. She saw the drop of pre-cum on his engorged cock and decided if this was going to be their last time, then she was going to make it memorable for both of them.

  Shifting to her knees, she took him in her hands as she licked the pearl before swirling her tongue around the head.

  “Oh, God, Kendall,” he moaned, his hands clutching her head.

  Grinning, she licked her lips then slid his girth into her mouth as far as she could, fisting around the base. Slowly gaining speed, she bobbed her head as she sucked and tongued in time with her hand. Reaching up with her free hand, she cupped his heavy balls.

  Marc arched, his hips grinding against her face as he felt the tightness in his back. Jesus, she’s killing me. Dropping his chin, he was undone at the look of adoration and pleasure on her face as she peered up at him. Her hands reached around to grasp his ass and she brought him closer.

  Feeling his balls squeeze, he pulled back suddenly, hearing her moan in protest. “No, babe. I want inside you,” he panted as he towered over her, getting to his knees as she lay back. “I’ll come in your mouth sometime, but right now, I want inside your sweet body.”

  Her legs falling open as he moved his hips between her thighs, he plunged in with one swift movement. She gasped at the sense of fullness and stretching, but there was no ache. Only pleasure. He immediately
began to piston in and out, his thrusts providing the friction her body craved. Grabbing his shoulders, she then moved her hands up and down his back from his ass to his neck, encouraging him to move faster.

  “I wanted to go slow,” he bit out, looking down at her flushed face.

  “I want everything you’ve got to give,” she protested, her hips arching up to meet him stroke for stroke.

  Unable to deny her, he powered through, rocking her body as he worshiped her with his. Bearing his weight on one arm, he moved his hand to her breast, palming the fullness before tweaking her distended nipple. Kissing her, he swallowed her groan as he slid his hand between them, down to her sensitive clit. Thumbing the swollen nub, he choked out, “You close?”

  Another groan was her only answer, but he took that as a positive. Knowing he was about to blow, he pressed harder and felt her body buck underneath his as her orgasm rocked though her. His own orgasm blasted from his body just after he pulled out.

  Continuing to thrust until there was nothing left, he dropped onto her, rolling to the side and bringing her with him. Their pounding heartbeats reverberated throughout the cabin, second only to their ragged breaths. Their sweaty bodies were quickly cooling but neither appeared ready to move.

  Standing to grab a cloth, he wiped her off gently, hating that he could not come inside her. Soon, maybe soon.

  Finally, grabbing one edge of the sleeping bag, Marc rolled her over the top of him to the other side, taking the material with him. At least partially covered now, they still lay clinging to each other in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

  Kendall’s soft voice whispered against his chest, “Thank you.”

  “Oh, sweet girl, you don’t have to thank me. I’m the one who should be worshipping at your feet for even allowing me to be with you. I’ve never…never felt so close to someone. Never felt anything like this.”

  A silent tear slid down her cheek, mixed into the cooling sweat on his chest. I thought this would be our goodbye time…but how can I think of leaving someone when I’m falling in love?

  Chapter 18

  Luke leaned over Charlie’s shoulder, kissing her neck, nibbling around her jaw until he landed on her delectable lips.

  “Mmmm, what are you doing?” she murmured, twisting her head for better access.

  “If you don’t know, then I must be doing something wrong,” he whispered, his warm breath against her ear.

  After a moment of pleasure, he pulled back, his groan meeting her moan. “Okay, sweetheart, playtime is over. Whatcha got for me?”

  Yawning, she whirled in her swivel chair and said, “Okay, I’ve some things for our guys to check out.” With a few clicks she added, “I’ve gone over the finances of the NCBRT employees and none of them are rich. Let’s face it, they’re either working for Homeland Security or the private lab, but I’m not finding any unusual spending or financial savings for anyone. Cliff Wallace is the one Jack said had a lot of jealousy issues, so I’ve been concentrating on him. Background checks out. Divorced and looks like the ex took him to the cleaners, so a chunk of his pay goes to her each month, but he still appears to live well. I’ll focus on him for a bit. Estelle Barnaby has been the DHS liaison there for only a year. She came from the Dallas branch and it looks like she might plan on staying since she just bought a house in Louisiana. I’m widening the net to include off-shore accounts and I’ll let you know what I find.”

  Looking over at Luke, she said, “What about you?”

  “Nick’s got concerns about the newest terrorist cell that has cropped up in Alaska and wants me to see if I can make a connection between them and the one in Louisiana. Still digging. He’s also not happy with the FBI there, particularly Kevin Pierce and Hank Tomlin. Says they are overly friendly—”

  Barking out a laugh, Charlie’s eyes widened at the description. “Overly friendly? Only stodgy old Nick would call someone overly friendly!”

  “Right?” Luke grinned back. “But it seems as though he feels they are hiding something, so I’m digging into them as well.”

  “Wow, I get the feeling that after the last case, Nick doesn’t trust anyone, even though it turned out his fellow FBI agent was not guilty.”

  “Yeah, but she was caught doing a lot of investigating on her own which put others at risk…including you, I might add,” he said, his grin replaced by a grimace at the memory of how he almost lost her.

  Leaning over to pat his leg, she said, “Now, now…none of that.” Her expression turned pensive as she lifted her gaze to his. “Honey, do you think Marc will be okay? That Bart and Jude can get to him in time?”

  Luke smiled at the beautiful woman who held his heart and nodded. “If this had to happen to one of us, Marc is the best one it could have happened to. He’s a true outdoorsman. Hunts, fishes, backpacks, camps, has survivalist training…I’m sure he’s fine and taking care of Dr. Rhodes as well.”

  “Well,” she said, with a sly grin, rolling her chair closer. “If I were stuck in the wilds, I’d only want to be with you. So I wonder if the good doctor and Marc are getting…close?”

  Throwing his head back, Luke laughed. “Oh no, not Marc. He’s only attracted to women who are just as hardy as he is…and even then, it’s only physical. I have no idea what kind of woman it would take to capture his heart.”

  “Hmmm,” Charlie said with a slight shrug of her shoulders. “I wonder…”

  *

  “You wanted to see me?”

  Estelle looked up from her computer at the scowling man standing in the doorway. Pinching her lips, she said, “Come in, Dr. Wallace. And shut the door, please.”

  Cliff walked in and settled into the chair in front of her desk, his eyes shifting around the office. “Do you think they’ll find anything?”

  “You don’t beat around the bush, do you?”

  “Never saw any reason too,” Cliff replied, his irritation showing. “We’ve got work to do and having the security firm Kenneth hired skulking around is not making me happy.”

  “My home office is still wanting the reports,” Estelle bit back, “so while Kendall isn’t here, you need to pull it all together.”

  “So, you think Kenneth will stay here and assign someone else to go?”

  “Getting anxious to step into his shoes already?” she quipped. “Just don’t put the cart before the horse.”

  He scowled once more, glaring her way. “I’ll get it all ready, but I’d better be the one who goes, whether Kendall makes it out of the wilderness or not!”

  Estelle pinned him with her steady gaze, cocking her head to the side. “Vicious, aren’t you?”

  “When I need to be…I’ll do what needs to be done.” Standing, he said, “Will there be anything else?”

  Her lips curved slightly at the corners as she watched him walk to the door. “Not now,” she conceded. “But tonight?”

  Stopping, his hand on the doorknob, he nodded curtly before leaving her office.

  *

  “Looks like the Alaskan terrorist cell is growing,” Luke said, looking over his shoulder at Cam and Chad. Flashing the information onto the big screen, he said, “They infiltrate the universities and rely heavily on social media to get their messages out.”

  “Alaska,” Cam repeated, shaking his head. “What’s the draw?”

  “The FBI is considering various scenarios, but one of them is the oil pipelines. Perfect place for terrorists to disrupt the process, throwing the economy and environment into havoc.”

  Sighing heavily, Chad added, “What about the close proximity to Russia?”

  Nodding, Luke agreed. “Alaska is a perfect training ground to practice activities that can affect Russia, the orient, the United States, and Canada. Quite frankly, I’m surprised they haven’t discovered the benefits of working from there before recently.”

  “So, if someone wanted to get rid of the Rhodes, especially interrupting their reports for the Olympic committees, knowing they were in Alaska, it wouldn’t be too h
ard to get someone to do their dirty work for them?”

  “Nope, I’d say it was pretty easy,” Luke nodded.

  “Guys, Monty’s calling in,” Charlie called out, patching him through to the group.

  “Here’s what we’ve got so far,” Monty said, immediately getting down to business. “The FBI supposedly vets the airport crew that services anything they need, but the cameras were disabled for a time and the rookie agent here is lying when he says he was right with them. My guess is he’s either on their payroll to turn a blind eye or he royally fucked up and did so on his own. I want everything you can give me on Henry Tomlin.”

  “I’ve been checking him out since we got his name but so far, I’m not turning up much. Charlie’s working on possible offshore accounts for any of our players.”

  “What about the terrorist cell up here?” Monty pressed.

  “Looks like they recruit heavily from college students and have their hands in the Muslim community, targeting youth. Same MO they use everywhere. But it’s growing and we were just discussing their proximity to Canada, US oilfields, Russia, and all points Asian.”

  Nodding, Monty agreed. “That’s what Nick and I figured also. So they could have had any number of people here who would disable a plane.”

  “But that’s what’s odd,” Charlie piped up. “Marc’s plane wasn’t disabled, but specifically tampered with in a way that a seasoned pilot did not notice. That only comes from someone who either flies, knows planes, or is highly trained.”

  “Good point,” Monty acknowledged. “Can you work that angle? And get us something on Agent Tomlin…Nick wants to nail that puppy’s ass just for shirking his duties, if nothing else!”

  *

  “You’d better be telling the truth,” Kevin warned, his good humor long gone. “I’ve got the Bureau breathing down my neck because their hot-shot agent is up here questioning how I run things!”

  “I’m telling you, they just came in and worked on the plane. I didn’t watch them every second,” Hank confessed. “But, then, I don’t know anything about planes.” He slumped dejectedly in his chair, his hound-dog appearance revealing his self-pity.