Flynn's Assassin (Marks Mercenaries Book 5)

by N. J. Walters

  There was so much of him to enjoy. She stroked his arms and chest, letting her fingers flow down his abdomen. It wasn’t easy to stay focused when he was teasing and touching her. She ran one finger down the length of his shaft.

  “Not yet.” The roughness of his voice made her shiver as he pulled away.

  “You sure?” She started to reach for him again, but he grabbed her hands in his and raised them over her head. The move thrust her breasts upward.

  Securing her wrists in his strong, robotic hand, he nipped sharply at her neck, sending an erotic pulse through her. “Keep them here.” This was a command, an order from a man used to being obeyed.

  She bristled at first, but decided to see what he was going to do before objecting. Their gazes met, and one corner of his mouth turned up, as though he knew of her internal battle and was amused. He dropped a quick kiss on her lips and then shifted lower, his mouth hovering over her straining right breast.

  With a single-mindedness that was impressive and downright arousing, he licked and sucked and stroked every part of the mound. Then he did the same to the other. Time drifted away, not counted in planetary minutes, but in the touch of his tongue, the flick of his thumb over her nipples.

  Her legs moved restlessly against the mattress. She wanted more. Needed more. She wrapped her legs around him, trying to get closer to his erection.

  But he wasn’t having it. He muscled his way down her body, kissing her stomach, teasing her navel, and nipping at her hipbones.

  She was almost mindless with need by the time he settled between her thighs, had fisted the blankets to keep from reaching for him. His breath was warm, but it was still cooler than her aroused flesh. Nothing existed for her but the clawing need to have Flynn buried inside her.

  Big hands shoved her legs apart. Then he put his mouth on her. A low keening sound broke from her throat, echoing around the small room. Flynn never paused in his quest to drive her crazy. He ran his tongue over her slick folds before finding the nub of nerves at the apex. He wrapped his lips around her clit and sucked.

  Cerena screamed. It was like popping a cork out of a bottle that had been under pressure for far too long. It hurt it was so good. Every cell in her body exploded and was remade. She was the same woman, yet different.

  Before she could decide if that was a good thing or not, Flynn was leaning over her once again. He gripped his thick shaft in his hand, notched the broad head against her opening, and slowly began to forge his way inside.

  ****

  She was so fucking tight. He could taste her on his lips—her passion sweet and musky. He’d never had a woman who was so responsive, so real in all her reactions. It was as though she was experiencing everything for the first time.

  Sweat seeped from his pores as he sought to hold on to his fraying control. Her nipples were tight, wet buds from where he’d sucked them. Her skin was flushed with the pleasure he’d given her. Her screams were still ringing in his ears.

  He fucking loved it.

  But it wasn’t enough. He shoved his dick deeper, wanting her to take all of him. She was wet from her orgasm, but it still wasn’t easy. Her pussy clenched at his shaft, squeezing it so hard he almost came.

  “Not yet,” he muttered.

  Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to just feel. Although both of them were naked, he currently had the upper hand. If it came to hand-to-hand combat, he had no doubt he’d win. It was totally messed up that he had to think about that when he was cock-deep inside her, but that was just how things were.

  Didn’t mean he couldn’t find pleasure.

  “Cerena.” Her eyes were glazed with passion. Her lips invitingly parted. “I’m going to fuck you now.”

  Some women would have been upset by his choice of words, might even have pushed him away. She locked her arms around his neck.

  Flynn flexed his hips, driving his cock forward until he was buried to the hilt. Her inner muscles rippled around him. “You feel so damn good.”

  When she lifted her legs and twined them around his waist, he lost it. Her acceptance, the way she welcomed him into her body, sent him over the edge. He fucked her hard and fast, his thrusts shallow as he pulled out and pushed forward again and again. Her fingers dug into his ass. Her strong thighs squeezed against him. Her pussy rhythmically milked his dick.

  Flynn threw back his head and roared as he came, emptying himself in her. It seemed to go on forever, but was over far too quickly. He collapsed on her, not worrying for once that he’d crush the woman he was with. When he buried his face in the curve of her neck, she wrapped her arms around him.

  All he could hear was the pounding of his heart, as it threatened to beat its way out of his chest. When it finally calmed, the only sounds he could hear was their breathing and the slight mechanical whoosh as the air circulating system kicked in.

  He had no idea how much time had passed before he raised his head. Her eyes were closed, but he knew she wasn’t asleep. Her body had tensed as soon as he’d moved.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  “Open your eyes and tell me that.” He knew she’d come once, might even have come again, but that part was a little hazy, overshadowed by his own climax.

  Cerena sighed and opened her eyes. “I’m fine.”

  She was pulling away from him. Usually he was okay with a woman leaving as soon as they were done. Hell, he was typically the one heading for the door. So why was he so irritated?

  He flexed his hips, still semi-hard. She gasped and gripped his biceps. “Flynn.”

  He loved the sound of his name on her lips. “You sure you’re only fine?” He rocked again, his cock already growing harder in spite of the fact he’d just come.

  A grin flashed across her face. “I’m stupendous. Better?”

  “Much.” He dropped a kiss on her lips. As much as he’d like to fuck her again, it was time to get some answers. He pulled out, cursing when her body clasped his cock.

  To give himself time to regroup, he rolled off the bed and headed to the bathing chamber, grabbing his battlesuit on the way. When the door closed behind him, he stared into the mirror. He looked more relaxed than he had in a long time. But even as he watched his reflection, the tension crept back.

  He knew women were attracted to him. That wasn’t vanity, just simple fact. He also knew Cerena wasn’t the type to pick up a random guy in a bar for a good time. He specialized in women like that and knew the type. She didn’t fit.

  So why him?

  “Fuck.” Scrubbing his hand over his hair, he stepped into the gel cleansing unit. It was fast and efficient, and in no time he was clean. He pulled on his battlesuit.

  Not knowing what he’d face, he opened the door and waited a heartbeat before stepping out. Cerena was fastening her vest. She had her pants and boots already on.

  He’d been half hoping she’d still be lying on his bed, ready for another round of hot, sweaty sex. “Leaving so soon?”

  She paused and then resumed closing her vest. “I figured that was what you wanted. You didn’t waste any time getting out of bed once we were done.”

  Shit! He wasn’t much for cuddling, hadn’t considered how she might view his actions. “I didn’t use protection.” Even though most women handled that themselves, and he was fully inoculated against any sexually transmitted diseases, he always wore protection. He wasn’t about to risk having a child with a woman he didn’t know. Wasn’t sure he even wanted kids. He’d practically raised his younger siblings.

  She flinched slightly, but covered it by pulling her knives, spinning them once, and then returning them to their built-in sheaths. “I’m protected.”

  It was what he’d expected to hear, but for some reason he felt letdown. Had he wanted to risk getting her pregnant?

  “You don’t have to go,” he told her.

  “No?”

  He shrugged, as though her decision really didn’t matter when it did. “We could get something to eat.�
� He glanced meaningfully at the bed. “Maybe go another round.”

  She bit her bottom lip, which had his cock straining once again. The woman was sexy as hell without even trying. It was aggravating.

  “Better not,” she told him. “I should go.”

  Flynn yanked on his boots and motioned to the door. When she passed him, he checked his blaster, making sure it was set to stun and not kill. He might want Cerena, but he wasn’t stupid. Every instinct was on high alert. She was going to try something. Or she was going to contact any accomplices she had, and they’d be waiting when he opened the ship’s hatch to let her go.

  “Which way?” she asked. She glanced around as if lost. He knew better. He’d bet his ship she’d tracked every movement they’d made on the way in.

  Wanting to see how things played out and still hoping he was wrong, Flynn took the lead. “This way.”

  He heard the light whisper of metal against material as she pulled her weapons of choice. He spun around and went low, catching the blade heading toward his neck in his robotic hand. But she wasn’t done. She came at him with the second blade. Knowing the suit would deflect the knife, she went for his face. His good eye.

  He tossed her back. She flew through the air and landed on her back before skidding up the hallway. She’d dropped one knife but kept the other. She rolled to her feet, gasping for air. A look of despair crossed her face. “I have to.”

  That didn’t make any sense to him.

  He stalked toward her, and she flung the knife at him. He brought his arm up and blocked it. The weapon clanked to the floor.

  “What are you going to do now?”

  Cerena’s gaze darted from one side to the other, like a cornered animal searching for an escape.

  “There’s no way out,” he told her. “If you kill me, your life is forfeit. You know that, don’t you? I have family who will stop at nothing to find you.” She reached behind and withdrew another weapon. Not a knife but a tiny canister.

  What the fuck was that? She flicked up the top and pushed a button. The canister began to beep. “I’m so sorry.” There was pure agony on her face. And it was real. She was about to blow herself up and take him with her.

  Fuck that. Flynn sprinted toward her, catching her off guard. She’d obviously expected him to run. He snatched the canister from her hand, opened the nearest door and tossed it inside. Then he grabbed her and ran. He got three steps before the world exploded.

  They went airborne. He wrapped his arms around her, covering her as best he could, taking the brunt of the hard landing. Loud beeping filled the air, followed by warning of fire. The safety system kicked in and foam began to douse the flames.

  Flynn’s ears rang from the blast. Every part of him hurt. If he wasn’t wearing his battlesuit, he might have been killed from being hit by flying debris. As it was, he’d likely be bruised from head to toe unless he sought treatment.

  “Cerena!” He yelled her name even though she was right beside him. She was so still. Fear filled him. Didn’t matter that she’d tried to kill him, he didn’t want her hurt. He needed answers. Surely that was the only reason his heart was pounding and his mouth was dry.

  He rolled her onto her back. Her head lolled to one side, but she was breathing. Her chest rose and fell steadily. Likely the blast and fall had knocked her unconscious.

  “Authorities approaching,” the computer warned him.

  Shit, he had to deal with them. He should tell them everything and leave Cerena with them. His hand fisted by his side. That wasn’t happening. No one was taking her from him.

  His possessiveness made no sense, but he didn’t fight it. Shoving to his feet, he made his way to the cargo bay, listing from side to side like a drunk.

  “Fire suppressed,” the computer told him.

  “Damage?”

  “Minor. Explosion occurred in an interior empty storage compartment. Hull and structure are secure.”

  He was thankful for that. If he’d damaged an engine or life support, he’d be stuck here indefinitely.

  Taking a deep breath, Flynn opened the hatch. “What?” he demanded.

  Several of the members of the port authority security team took a step back. “There was an explosion,” one of them stated.

  Flynn nodded. “Yeah, sorry about that. Minor problem. All under control.”

  The senior member of the team shot him a dubious look. “Under control?”

  “Fire is out. Minimal damage. I’ll pay for any damages to the facility.” He glanced out of the hatch and checked out the area, knowing there was no outward sign of any problem. The ship had no doubt rocked at the docking bay and the explosion would have been heard, which was the only reason he was copping to it.

  The senior official stared at him. Flynn stared back, not in the least bit intimidated. Finally, the official looked away when his communicator beeped. “We have another call,” he told his men. He gave Flynn a curt nod. “I imagine you’ll be on your way.”

  “I’m outta here,” Flynn assured him. “Until next time,” he couldn’t resist adding. Closing the door, he locked it down. “Prepare for launch,” he told the computer.

  He hurried back to Cerena, who was still lying in the corridor. She moaned and moved her head slightly. Relief hit him hard. She was going to be okay.

  But she’d tried to kill him. Why? She was a stranger to him, or she had been. Who’d hired her and why?

  Answers would have to wait. They needed to get out of here. He wasn’t sure the officials would be put off again if they decided to come back a second time.

  Flynn gathered her in his arms and took her to his room, depositing her on the bed where they’d had sex. She looked good there, in spite of the soot and bruises on her face and arms. She was bleeding in several places. Not a lot, as his suit had taken the bulk of the blast.

  “I’ll be back,” he told her. He hated to leave her but had to get them launched. He made his way to the command center and took his seat in the captain’s chair. The room was empty without Kal on communications, Amos fussing about the engine, and Garth on security watch. He missed them.

  This time he was on his own.

  He couldn’t risk taking Cerena to Gravas, not until he knew the truth. His family might not be as understanding as he was.

  “Computer, prepare to launch.”

  Chapter Five

  Cerena hurt everywhere. What had she been doing? Why was her head pounding?

  She’d had sex with Flynn, hadn’t she? Surely that couldn’t account for the aches and pains in her arms, legs, and back. She bolted upright in bed and then swore when the room spun. She’d tried to kill Flynn, even using her last-resort explosive, hoping if Ian knew she’d completed the job, he’d take care of Nix, or at least take him home. She’d left a letter with her former boss in case she never made it back.

  It had all been for naught. She was still alive, which meant so was Flynn. She’d failed.

  Would Ian really kill her son? She honestly didn’t know. He was ruthless, but could he end the life of his own son?

  It was a chance she couldn’t take. But it was no longer in her hands. She’d taken her shot and lost.

  Why wasn’t she in prison?

  Because now that her head had stopped spinning, she could plainly see she was back in Flynn’s room aboard the Abigail.

  She had to get off this ship. For some unknown reason, Flynn hadn’t handed her over to the authorities. He hadn’t killed her either. But the way her luck had been running lately, she didn’t expect her good fortune to last.

  Taking a deep breath, she assessed her injuries. While her head ached and her body hurt, she was fully functional. Nothing was broken. After working as a bouncer for most of her adult life, she knew what broken or cracked bones felt like.

  Lucky for her she was only badly bruised with some minor cuts.

  “Get up,” she ordered herself. She pushed up off the bed and used the wall as support when the world spun around her. Gritting he
r teeth against the pain in her head, she stumbled to the door and was mildly shocked to discover it wasn’t locked.

  So far, so good.

  Where was Flynn? No time to worry about that now. Escape was her only option. She could make another attempt on Flynn’s life, but it would be much more difficult now that he knew she was there to murder him.

  The thought turned her stomach. Who would have thought she’d stoop so low as to try to kill someone? It wasn’t self-defense. Or maybe it was. Her son, her reason for living, was under attack, and she was doing what was necessary to defend him.

  She snorted under her breath. No way could she justify what she’d tried to do, no matter how many fancy words or explanations she’d used. She’d tried to kill a man who’d never done anything to her. That was on her.

  Stumbling down the hallway toward the hatch, she ignored the debris and the cleaning bots working diligently to remove the mess. There were no signs of her weapons, but she would have been shocked if there were. Flynn wasn’t stupid.

  She’d have to make do without them. Fortunately, she’d memorized the exact path to the hatch and knew where she was going. The walls seemed to shift and pitch. Closing her eyes didn’t help. It only made her stomach sick.

  When she finally reached her destination, there was no sense of triumph or success, only a clawing need to escape. From Flynn. And from herself.

  She slammed her hand against the release panel on the hatch. Nothing happened. She tried again with the same result.

  “Come on. Open.” If she could make it to her small ship, she could run and regroup, form a new plan.

  “You don’t want to open that.” For such a big man, Flynn could move silent as a ghost. She hadn’t heard him.

  Cerena spun around and faced him. “Why? You planning on killing me?” Not that she could blame him all things considered. Most men would have already done so or at least handed her over to the authorities.

  Why hadn’t he?

  He leaned one shoulder against the door opening and crossed his arms over his massive chest. There was a bruise forming on his face under his left eye, the one she’d tried to gouge out with her knife. His battlesuit was covered in grime and soot. Other than that, he looked no worse for wear for her attempt on his life.