by S A Monk
“Here we go.”
Hanna leaned forward to rest her forearms on her knees, holding her wine glass with both hands as she watched the laptop’s screen.
Despite the low light in the teahouse, the visual was very clear. She could easily make out all the parties at the tables. The audio was also very good. After their initial greeting, Chen spoke first.
“It was remarkably stupid of you, Mr. Masters, to reveal so much over the phone the other day. If Colonel Kelly is searching for his brother, he has undoubtedly tapped your phones.”
“You think my phones are tapped?” Yancy questioned redundantly.
“Your phones, your house, your bar,” Li Chen assured him scornfully. “Kelly is Special Forces, after all.”
“Well, he wouldn’t be here snooping around at all if you hadn’t abducted his brother.” Masters was angry about that fact. “Why the hell did you decide to hang onto his brother?”
“Colonel Kelly killed my brother two years ago at one of our field labs in Thailand.”
“Christ almighty!” was Yancy’s reply. “He was trying to close your operation down before?”
“His little band of Special Forces and the DEA. The military in your country join forces with your DEA all the time. Two years ago, they were operating in the Triangle. They raided a series of our labs. My brother, Wu, was overseeing one that had been having problems. I saw Kelly shoot Wu. Now it is time for him to lose his brother. What is it you Christians say— an eye for an eye....”
“So you’re jeopardizing a billion dollar operation for revenge?”
“What I do with my operation is none of your business, Mr. Masters.”
“The hell if it isn’t!” Yancy shot back. “I just paid you a ton of money for my last shipment, and by the time I resell the stuff, it will be worth twice what I paid you. That makes me a major player in this operation, Mr. Chen.”
“Without my supply, you would have nothing!” Chen hissed. “Do not make yourself more important than you are.”
“And without buyers, you would have nothing.”
“Buyers are a dime a dozen. You can be replaced— easily, swiftly. And what I do with Lance Kelly and his brother is none of your concern. You have no part in any of it. For your sake, forget I even have Lance Kelly.”
“What about the two containers of China White that I paid you for and never received?” Yancy demanded belligerently.
“I had them delivered. My men said they delivered ten containers. I gave you what you paid for. The transaction is completed.”
On camera, Hanna could see that this was the point where Yancy shot to his feet. The reaction from the three bodyguards was also caught on tape.
“I paid for ten containers and I got eight!” he argued, throwing down a piece of paper that looked like a receipt of some sort. “You signed off on the payment. See— there’s your signature. Now I want my product, all of it!”
“You had better look elsewhere for it, Mr. Masters, because I have already told you I sent you ten containers. This matter is closed. Speak to me no more of it.” Li Chen’s voice sounded very calm, but coldly threatening.
“We’ll see how closed it is, Mr. Chen.”
That was the end of the conversation. Yancy left abruptly, then Chen and his men left. There was nothing else the camcorder had picked up.
Nick pushed his laptop back, then picked up his glass of wine, sipped from it, and stared pensively the blank screen. Hanna swiveled towards him, tucking one leg beneath the other.
“There’s no hint given of where Lance is being held,” she pointed out needlessly, disappointed.
“No, unfortunately.” Nick frowned, obviously disappointed as he sat beside her with his forearms resting on his knees, his head bent slightly, and both hands still wrapped around his wine glass.
“Where do you think Li Chen is keeping Lance?”
“I have no idea at this point. Following them today fizzled out.” He finished his wine on one long gulp, and then set his glass down on the table with a loud clink.
“Nick....” The catch in Hanna’s voice made him lift his head and look at her. “This Li Chen seems like such a ruthless man. Do you think he’s hurt Lance?”
“Aw, Hanna, you don’t want to dwell on that.”
“I want to know what this Li Chen is capable of!”
“He’s capable of anything.”
“And Lance? Do you think he might be injured, maybe drugged?”
“Maybe.”
“Oh God!”
Hanna couldn’t stand thinking of her friend and Christopher’s father being mistreated. And he’d been detained for a month! She put her hand to her face and rubbed her forehead with her fingertips.
Nick reached over and pulled her into his arms. “Don’t torment yourself this way,” he said, rubbing her back and pressing her close. “There’s nothing we can do until we find him. Rest assured Li Chen won’t kill him until he has me there to witness it.”
Tears glittered in her green eyes. “And that’s supposed to make me feel better?”
He brushed a tear track off her cheek. “What should make you feel better is that I’m not going to let Li Chen kill Lance. Christopher is going to get his daddy back.”
“But you don’t know where Li Chen is keeping Lance.”
“I’ll find out.”
“How?”
“I’ve been giving that some thought.” Nick regarded her pensively. “I’m going to trade Yancy his two containers of heroin for Lance’s location.”
Hanna shot him a troubled look. “That’s putting millions of dollars of heroin into his hands to distribute and sell.”
“Yeah, I don’t like that, either, but if we shut him down right away afterwards, maybe we can keep it off the streets.”
“Do you think Yancy would make such a deal with you?”
“He wants that heroin that he already paid for pretty badly. I think he’ll deal with me. The question is whether he knows anything.”
Hanna was quiet for a moment, then asked, “If Li Chen wants you to find Lance and witness his death, why doesn’t he just contact you and tell you where to find him?”
“It’s all in the game.”
“Excuse me?”
“Li Chen wants me to have to work to find my brother; to wonder if he’s alive while I’m looking. To agonize over it. He enjoys the game. Revenge is sweeter if it can be drawn out. And like I said, these drug lords, particularly in the Chinese Triad, are big on revenge.”
That kind of hatred was beyond her understanding. “I can’t believe our families have gotten caught up in such a mess!”
“I should have realized Chen was a threat to my family. I’m going to call Mom to let her know we won’t be home tonight. I don’t want her to worry, especially under the circumstances.”
She completely agreed with that, even though it meant the families would know that she and Nick were spending the night together. “Go ahead,” she told him. “I’m going to get ready for bed.”
“Without me?”
She pushed off the couch and looked toward the bed behind them, then back at him. “There’s only one bed, so unless you’re planning on sleeping on this uncomfortable sofa or the floor, I guess it won’t be without you, just before you.” Before he could respond, she gave him a provocative look and walked into the bathroom where she’d left her backpack.
While she was getting undressed, she heard him talking to his mother. He said something to Jessie about not telling her anything again that he wanted kept a secret. She must have chastised him back, because she heard him laugh, then tell his mother it had all worked out okay.
Once she was undressed, Hanna put on the little ivory sleep set Christine had bought her. Standing in front of mirrored wall, she looked at herself, turning to judge each angle. The tap shorts were silk and lace versions of men’s boxers, and they contoured her round bottom to perfection. The matching camisole was scalloped in a deep plunge of pink lace that barely hid
her nipples. The tiny double straps were a thin ivory satin rolled ribbon.
Never in her life had she worn anything so daring or sexy. It was beautiful, and deliciously decadent against her skin, but she was afraid to step out of the bathroom in it. The lingerie was a clear announcement to Nick of what she wanted. But was that such an outrageous thing? She wanted Nick to make love to her again. And who knew? Maybe Christine was right, and this little number could make him wonder about his total dedication to the Corps. It was worth a try. All she had to do was pull it off without blushing. Yeah, like she was capable of that!
Just walk out there and act cool, composed, and in control— like it was no big deal to go to bed dressed in such sexy lingerie. But, lord, she’d known Nick all her life! He’d seen her in flannel pajamas. He’d just laugh at her attempt to look alluring, wouldn’t he?
Oh, for crying out loud, what a big idiot you’re being! She was thirty-four years old. Women her age seduced men all the time. Just because she was inexperienced didn’t mean she couldn’t try. Yeah, if you don’t make a fool of yourself, the little voice inside her head laughed. Go for it! Be brave, her more courageous side said in rebuttal. You love the man. Go after him.
At the door, she heard him on the phone, this time to Kurt. Glad that he was distracted, she walked casually into the sitting area, past the fireplace, around the coffee table, and over to the sofa, where she sat down and picked up a magazine. Nonchalantly, she curled her legs beneath her, then took a peek at Nick over the top of her magazine. She caught him staring directly at her. She smiled coolly back at him and went on reading, ignoring the wild racing of her heart.
“Kurt, I’ll want that information from you, but let me get back to you tomorrow,” he said to his friend. “I’ve gotta go. Bye.”
“I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation.” Hanna put the magazine down that she really hadn’t been reading. “What did Kurt have to say?”
His eyes were traveling over every inch of her. “I ... a... told him about today, and....”
“And? Can he help you find Li Chen?”
He was definitely distracted, disturbed, and he had yet to look at her face. “Yeah.... Maybe. He’ll check with Seth and....” Finally, he lifted his eyes to hers. “Damn, Hanna, where did you get that?”
His question worried her. “It was a gift from Christine.” She searched his face, assessing his expression. “It isn’t me, is it?”
“No. I mean yes, it is. You look beautiful in it.”
“Really? Well— thank you.” She felt herself grinning like an idiot.
“Maybe you should move a little closer.” His voice was getting deeper and huskier. The color of his eyes was getting darker.
Compelled by the growing desire she saw reflected in them, she scooted closer. His hand came up to caress one bare shoulder, then strayed to the lace scalloping and followed it to the middle of her chest. His fingers slid over the ultra-soft silk and gently molded the shape of her breast. Hanna closed her eyes, sighing. His hand slipped inside to cup her naked breast, gently squeezing. With a groan, he drug her onto his lap and sought her lips.
Fingering a nipple, he hooked a muscular arm around her waist and pressed her closer. His kisses were deep and penetrating, parting her lips so his tongue could delve inside to tangle with hers. He kissed her until she was breathless and boneless in his arms. She was aware of the little moans coming from her throat, but she was helpless to halt them.
Liquid heat washed over her in waves. Needing to touch his warm bare skin, she shoved his snug black t-shirt up to his armpits. Her hands immediately wandered over every inch of exposed muscle. Her action broke his contact with her breast, but she didn’t care. The need to touch him was desperate and overwhelming.
She wanted to make love to him... to seduce him, to rock his universe, to make this the most unforgettable night he ever experienced. When he left her for his precious Marine Corps, she wanted to make sure he carried indelible images of her around in his head.
The little voice in her head laughingly told she was too inexperienced to rock his world, but she chased the thought away, determined she’d just do what felt natural. She’d learned a lot from him several nights ago when he’d made love to her in a number of different and intoxicating ways. Now she’d just use it on him.
Determined to be bold, she urged him to lift his arms. When he complied, she shoved his t-shirt the rest of the way off, over his head, and then tossed it backwards, onto the floor. He chuckled. She settled herself more squarely on his lap, throwing one leg over his to straddle him. Her fingers slowly wove through the silky dark hair that lightly contoured his chest.
Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to his collarbone, then moved them slowly along the weather-roughened column of his thick neck. She kissed the Adam’s apple that she never failed to find so sexy and masculine. She kissed his chin, then nibbled her way up along his sharply defined jaw, to the area beneath his ear.
She heard a deep rumble in his throat, then the sweet sound of her murmured name. She smiled with pure female satisfaction. She, shy, inexperienced Hanna Wallace, was turning handsome Nick Kelly on. The awareness gave her added courage.
The tip of her tongue found his ear. She traced the outer shell, two, three times, felt him shiver, then used her tongue to delve inside. She felt his reaction between her legs. His sex hardened. Her teeth tugged and gently bit his earlobe. It must have been a particularly sensitive spot for him, just like it was for her. He shuddered and dug his long fingers into her bottom almost painfully, pulling her even closer. Her laughter was muffled against his neck, then her mouth slowly moved across his handsome face to his other ear. Before she got there, though, she had to stop at his cheekbones, then his eyes, closing them so she could caress his long thick eyelashes with her lips.
Butterfly kisses traced the length of his hawk-like nose, then descended to his lips. She felt the rapidness of his breathing. Pleased, she traveled up the other side of his face, giving it the exact same treatment. Finally, she found his other ear. While she nibbled on it, she unzipped his jeans. By that point, he was breathing raggedly, his skin flushed and damp with heat.
He tried to push her down on the sofa, to get her beneath him, but Hanna wasn’t ready to end the foreplay and her seduction. Scooting backwards off his lap, she slipped to her knees, in front of him, between his legs. For a long moment, she just stared up at him. Shirtless, with his jeans unzipped, he looked so sexy that he stole her breath away. This was how she wanted to remember him when she lay in her bed, alone, after he left.
That thought brought a sheen of tears to her eyes, so she lowered her head, unwilling to reveal them to him. She might not have any more than this, but he was here with her now. It was enough. It had to be, she told herself a little too desperately.
Anxious to please him, she put her hands on his knees and slid them slowly toward his open zipper. Her fingers spread the opening wider, then slipped inside the fly of his boxer shorts. The crisp hair at his groin felt incredible beneath her fingertips. She allowed them a few moments of exploration, and heard him suck in a sharp breath. Then with a boldness she never would have guessed she possessed a month ago, she lifted him free of his shorts and his jeans.
His erection jutted before her magnificently. She swayed forward and put her lips on him. He groaned loudly as his hands went to either side of her head. For a moment, she thought he’d push her away. Then his fingers began caressing her scalp, while she caressed his penis with her tongue and lips, then very gently with her teeth.
It was much more thrilling than she’d ever imagined. He was hot, velvety smooth, and oh so hard! The sensuality of the act was a wonderful surprise to her. She hadn’t expected to be so aroused herself by it. She suddenly felt she couldn’t get enough of him. Her mouth became more aggressive, sucking and swallowing. She wanted to consume him, and much to her surprise, she found she loved the smell of him there.
“Aw… Hanna! No more!” With shak
ing hands, he pulled her mouth off of him and looked down into her eyes.
“Why? Didn’t you like that?”
“Damn it, yes! Too much!” Lifting her, he set her on his lap again and buried his mouth against her neck. “I just can’t take any more of that particular torture without....” He couldn’t seem to finish what he was about to say, his breathing was so ragged.
He held her tight against him for a long moment, cradled on his lap until his heart stopped racing, then set her on her feet and reached down to pull off his boots and socks. She watched him rise off the sofa and push his Levis down to step out of them. Then he took her hand and moved around the room to turn off all the lights. He left the gas fueled fire burning. It cast a soft romantic glow over the now darkened room.
At the door to the bathroom, he looked toward the big marble bathtub, his eyes widening. Then, he tugged Hanna inside. “I’ve been envisioning us in a bubble bath all evening,” he said, grinning at her lasciviously. “Shall we light the candles, fill it, and try it out?”
She nodded, mesmerized by the silver fire in his eyes. While he searched for matches, she put the stopper in the tub, turned the water on, then poured the bubble bath and scented salts in. There was a switch on the wall for the Jacuzzi. She turned it on, then set the timer on for as long as it would go. By the time Nick found the matches and lit all the candles around the tub, the water had risen to an adequate level.
Hanna stepped out of her skimpy silk boxers as Nick turned to switch off the overhead lights, throwing the room into a luminescent glow of flickering candle light. She pulled her camisole off while he stepped out of his shorts. He was still impressively aroused, she noticed, and wondered naively if it hurt him to remain so for this long.
They stood in front of one another, silent and staring, while the sound of the Jacuzzi jets filled the room.
“I better get a condom,” Nick said finally.
Hanna shook her head. “I’m not ovulating. We’ll be okay.” She touched his chest and splayed her fingers wide to caress him. “I want to feel the real you in me tonight. No barrier.”
“Oh geez, Hanna!” He reached out to caress her cheek, then took her hand and guided her to the tub. After stepping over the high rim into the steaming, effervescent water, he swiveled to help her step in after him. They sank together into a thick froth of lavender scented bubbles. Nick scowled as he reclined back against the end of the tub and drew her over him. “I’m going to smell like a damned flower tomorrow!”
