Submission Impossible (Masters and Mercenaries: Reloaded Book 1)

by Lexi Blake

  “Oh, I’m not afraid of that. You should be afraid that you won’t have much to take to your lab after I steal your cookies.”

  Her heart rate had gone sky high, and she appreciated MaeBe’s timing as she chose that moment to drive up in her Prius. She had the new compact model, and unfortunately, she did not have a compact man in the passenger seat. Kyle Hawthorne looked hunched over, and she would bet he had that seat all the way back.

  This was not going to be a comfortable ride.

  MaeBe put the car in park and both she and Kyle got out, MaeBe bouncing from her seat with a smile and Kyle unfurling his body, wincing the whole time.

  “I’m getting a car this weekend. I swear,” Kyle said. He looked her way and visibly noticed her cane. “I’ll take the back seat.”

  She felt a flush go through her. “It’s fine. I’ll fit better.”

  Kyle shook his head. “No. I wouldn’t dream of it. You’ll be more comfortable getting in and out if you take the front.”

  “Yeah, I don’t care about Kyle’s comfort. I’m actually interested in seeing if he and Hutch can fit back there.” MaeBe seemed amused.

  They wouldn’t fit at all, and she would. It might not be the most comfortable, but she was pretty sure MaeBe was the only one tiny enough for this car. “I’ll be fine in the back.”

  “Absolutely not,” Kyle insisted. “I’m not going to take your seat.”

  But it wasn’t hers. She knew he was trying to be polite, but all she could hear was she couldn’t even sit in the back of a car. Yes, she used a cane, but getting into that car would be awkward for anyone.

  “She said she would be fine in the back. Why do you think she can’t sit in a back seat?” Hutch asked, his eyes narrowed.

  Kyle’s gaze went right for her cane. “I’m trying to help her out, man.”

  Hutch walked to the car and opened the door, reaching in to drop the seat forward. “She knows what she can and can’t do. You seem to be the one who doesn’t because there’s zero shot at you fitting back here. Noelle, do you mind sitting in the back so the big guy’s spine doesn’t crack?”

  God, that was refreshing. “No problem.”

  It was totally awkward getting into that car, but she managed it and then scooted over when Hutch got in after her. His knees were practically up to his chin, but he settled in.

  She heard the trunk open and then close as Kyle put Hutch’s duffel in, and then he climbed into the front. “Sorry. I was trying to help.”

  She knew he was, but she preferred Hutch’s method. He hadn’t told her what her limitations were, hadn’t expected that because she used a cane she couldn’t see someone else had a greater need. “It’s okay, but I’m actually pretty flexible. I know the cane throws some people off, but you should see me do yoga.”

  “I’ve been meaning to give that a try,” Hutch said. “Maybe you can teach me some moves.”

  “I’m the one who’s going to need it,” Kyle complained.

  “Don’t be a baby. This car is excellent. It meets all the new standards.” MaeBe started out of the parking garage, turning onto Pearl Street. They moved from the gloom of the garage and into the brilliant light of day. “And I told you it was small. I named her Tiny.”

  “Well, I thought that was one of those names that was the opposite. I was expecting an SUV or something.” Kyle seemed to be fiddling with the seat.

  Hutch’s hand came up. “No. You are far enough back. And seriously, you thought the chick with the nose ring and purple hair drove a massive SUV?”

  “I thought we weren’t stereotyping today.” Kyle’s head brushed the top of the car.

  “MaeBe could drive an SUV if she wanted to.” Noelle had put her cane on her left side, but now she wondered if she shouldn’t have put it between her and Hutch because there was pretty much nothing to stop their hips from brushing together.

  “I like Tiny. She’s got character,” MaeBe said.

  Their hands brushed, and when MaeBe turned again, she was knocked into Hutch. “Sorry.”

  His arm had gone behind her, steadying himself. “It’s okay. It’s close quarters. And it’s not a bad idea for us to get more comfortable with each other. You know, for our cover.”

  Their cover. “I don’t think we’ll need it all that much. I thought it was just to explain why I suddenly have two men living with me.”

  “Oh, no. I’m going to need to get into that building at some point. You’re allowed visitors, I would assume.” His arm was still around her seat. Of course if it wasn’t, it would be cradled to his chest. He might not be as massive as Kyle, but he was still a big guy.

  “Sure. I have to log you in and out. There are cameras everywhere. I’m not sure what you can do.”

  “Take over the CC cams, hop into the system, and take a look around. Trust me. I’ll handle the security stuff. You save the helium,” Hutch replied. “But I can’t do what I need to do unless your coworkers buy that I’m your boyfriend. And someone you’ve known for a while. I would bet you’re careful about the people you date.”

  She kind of liked that he used the word people. Again, not putting her in a box, but she was in this particular box due to her biology. “Oh, it’s men.”

  “Do the people at work know that?” Kyle asked. “Because you and MaeBe would be pretty cute together. Hey.”

  His seat had jerked, probably because Hutch had punched it.

  “I don’t date much, but I did go out a few times with a guy from another lab.” It had been weird and awkward, and she kind of thought he’d been looking for information about her research. “I think Madison set him up because she did that a lot. She had this group of guys who did a bunch of her dirty work.”

  “Dirty work?” MaeBe asked.

  “Oh, yeah. She was one of those people who felt like she wasn’t getting ahead unless she was stepping on someone. Literally, at times. She used to step on my feet and then call me clumsy. I’m not all that sad she’s dead, but I have an intellectual curiosity about her death, if you know what I mean.”

  “You think she sent someone to ask you out so he could watch you?” Hutch’s question was quiet but there was an edge to it.

  He didn’t like that thought. It was subtle, but there was a distaste she recognized. “She did. He was a lab tech, but he wasn’t a good spy. He asked way too much way too fast. I didn’t fall for it. And honestly, there was zero chemistry there.”

  But she was starting to worry she had lots of chemistry with Hutch. Despite how they’d started, she was beginning to like him. She liked the fact that he had a drawer full of candy, and he seemed to know all the kids in the on-site daycare. It had been sweet to see how his face had lit up when a four-year-old boy holding a young woman’s hand had knocked on the door and asked to see him.

  Hutch had gotten to one knee and talked to the kid before offering him a small piece of chocolate.

  Her heart had kind of melted, and she got the idea he did that a lot.

  “Don’t worry about anything, Noelle. I can handle this,” he promised.

  “I read that Jessica Layne throws some crazy parties. Any of those coming up? Because I wouldn’t mind getting a look inside that penthouse of hers,” MaeBe admitted. “Do you get to go to the parties?”

  Noelle had skipped out on the last big party she’d been invited to. Jessica only invited higher-ups in the organization. When Noelle had been granted her lab, she’d gotten her first invite. She’d heard the rumors about what went on at them and had decided it was better to stay home. It was an annual celebration and she’d heard they partied with lots of booze and bed hopping. There was talk of a whole lot of swinging going on with the married executives.

  “I don’t go to the parties,” she admitted. “I’ve heard it’s a lot of weird sex and designer drugs. It’s not my scene.”

  Sanctum was hopefully her scene.

  Did Hutch go to Sanctum? From what she understood a lot of the McKay-Taggart guys did, but not all of them. It was a priv
ate thing, so she wasn’t going to ask him.

  His arm came back from around her seat and he tried to put some space between them.

  He was being polite, and again she should be grateful. She was such a flipping weirdo that she wished he hadn’t done that, wished she could still feel his forearm brush the nape of her neck.

  Kyle cleared his throat. “Yeah, we should all steer clear of the weird sex stuff. Is that the building?”

  MaeBe seemed to take that as a command to turn right as absolutely quickly as she possibly could. The car swerved and the motion sent her knocking into Hutch. She slammed into him and his arms went around her, keeping her from crashing back.

  “Sorry,” MaeBe said.

  “You are a terrible driver,” Kyle complained.

  “Am not. I get distracted. I also have some depth perception issues,” MaeBe admitted. “But we’re here and everyone is mostly whole. Any chance Jessica Layne comes in late? That’s a sweet Maserati up ahead.”

  “That’s hers, but it doesn’t mean she’s in it. She often leaves it in front of the building in case she decides to go out. She doesn’t like to have to wait.” Noelle righted herself and smoothed her blouse down. “Thanks for the ride.”

  She’d given Hutch everything he would need to get into her place and the keys to her car. It would be more comfortable, and she would be happy to let him drive. Keeping her foot on the gas for longer than a few minutes made one of the muscles of her calf tighten up.

  Kyle got out and pushed the seat forward to allow Hutch out.

  “MaeBe, could you…” Noelle began.

  “Nope. I’m well trained and he wants to help you,” she said in a voice above a whisper. “It’s got nothing to do with your legs and everything to do with the whole top thing. Go with it. It’ll make him feel good. I assure you it was hard for him to let you sit in the back even though he sounded like he handled it well. He’s just that guy.”

  A gentleman. No. That wasn’t what she’d said. Top. Well, that answered one question. He definitely hung out at the club, and MaeBe did, too. He’d likely been going for years, so they wouldn’t mix or anything. She was only in training and wouldn’t actually be in the club for at least a month.

  And she might not like it. She might not enjoy being taken care of for a reason that had nothing to do with her legs. She might not like being able to drop all of her control and let someone else take over for a while.

  Hutch’s arm came back, offering her a hand out.

  She shouldn’t take that hand. She should stumble and fall and force her way out because that hand was warm and strong, and it didn’t mean what she might want it to mean.

  She reached out and let him steady her as she wriggled out of the car that definitely could use another door. She lost her balance, but Hutch caught her, his free hand going around her waist and pulling her against him.

  “You okay?” He was staring down at her.

  She nodded.

  “The whole building is Genedyne, right?” His voice went low and she heard a vehicle coming into the entrance circle in front of the building.

  “Yes.” She wished she didn’t sound breathless.

  “Okay. Can I kiss you?” Hutch asked. “There’s a big group getting out of a van right behind us, and I would like to start to cement our cover.”

  He wanted to kiss her? No. He didn’t want to kiss her. He wanted to give credence to their cover because there were a bunch of her coworkers hopping out of that van, likely coming back from lunch. Was she doing this? If she didn’t, she’d have her dad sleeping on her couch instead of a hunky guy. Yes. She was doing this. She went up on her toes and gave those gorgeous lips of his a peck.

  Behind her she could hear someone asking if that was LaVigne. They were definitely watching.

  She dropped back and Hutch gave her an amused expression before his hands came up, cupping her face right below her jaw. “Yeah, that’s not how we’re saying good-bye.”

  His head dipped down and his lips brushed against hers, gently at first, like a butterfly sweeping by as it flew. Then he kissed her again and she felt fire in her veins. He controlled the kiss, and all she had to do was follow his lead. Her hands went to his waist, feeling the lean muscles of his torso. The world seemed to drop away as he kissed her, and it was a shock to her system when she heard a whistle.

  She stepped back and saw a group of the techs standing there watching her. She gave them her best stare. “Don’t you have something to do?”

  There were a whole lot of yeses as they turned and started to walk in the door.

  “LaVigne, I didn’t know you were seeing someone.”

  She stopped because she knew that deep, whiskey voice.

  Hutch was already in motion. He moved away from her, holding out a hand. “Hi. I’m Hutch. I’m Noelle’s boyfriend from back in Louisiana.”

  He was doing a fairly good accent. It was subtle, like he’d spent a lot of time there but wasn’t completely a local.

  Jessica Layne was standing next to her candy-apple-red Maserati dressed in her signature all-white power suit, her blonde hair cut in a chic bob. She looked Hutch up and down like he was a meal she was sizing up. She held out her manicured hand and shook Hutch’s a second too long for Noelle’s liking. “Jessica Layne. I’m Noelle’s boss.”

  Hutch pulled back and had an arm around Noelle’s shoulder in a heartbeat. She could feel the slightest tremble in his hand, though his voice was completely steady, his expression pleasant. “Of course I recognize you, Ms. Layne. It’s an honor to meet such an iconic figure in our world today.”

  He was nervous. She wasn’t sure how she knew that, but she did. She was so certain that she wound her arm around his waist not for cover, but to comfort him. “Sorry I’m late today. I’m afraid I brought back some souvenirs from home. Hutch and I were high school sweethearts. We reconnected a couple of months ago and he’s moving up here. With me. In my place.”

  “Yes, I rather thought that was what you meant.” She’d caught sight of Kyle and MaeBe, whose eyes had gone wide. “Did you find this one there, too?”

  MaeBe looked like she was staring at a rock star. “I’m from here. From Dallas. I’m such a huge fan.”

  Jessica ignored her. “How about you, gorgeous? I know you don’t work for me. I would recognize you.”

  Kyle looked like a deer caught in some bright headlights. “I’m Kyle. I’m his brother. I don’t have a job.”

  “He’s staying with me until he finds something,” Noelle explained. “He recently got out of the military and didn’t want to work on an oil rig or haul tourists around to look for gators. That’s about all we have in our town.”

  It wasn’t, but it was best to not have long explanations. This was absolutely the longest conversation she’d had with Jessica since she’d hired on. She was ready to head back to her lab.

  “Well, you should see about applying here, Kyle.” Jessica’s expression softened. “There are lots of good jobs here.”

  “Oh, I’m not good with science. I’ve got an interview at this restaurant that hires ex-military guys,” Kyle said quickly. He nodded MaeBe’s way. “My girlfriend set it up. She lives here. We met online.”

  MaeBe hesitated as though she couldn’t quite believe she’d gotten pulled into this crap. Then she smiled and leaned against Kyle. “Yep. I’m glad to have him here so we can figure out if our relationship works.”

  It was time to end this uncomfortable meeting. She turned to Hutch. “I need to get inside, and you need to get your brother to his interview.”

  He leaned over and kissed her again. “I’ll pick you up at five thirty.”

  She started to say she would take the train, but she’d given him the keys to her car for a reason. “Will do. Have a good rest of the day.”

  He squeezed her hand before turning away. “Ms. Layne, again, a pleasure to meet you.”

  “The pleasure was all mine. I expect to see you around, and Kyle, think about my offer. There
are good jobs right here.” Jessica looked at Noelle. “I should check in on you. You’re running the helium project, right? Interesting work. Maybe we’ll have lunch sometime and you can catch me up.”

  She watched the woman walk away, perfectly steady in her sky-high heels.

  She was on Jessica’s radar now.

  “Hey, you did great,” Hutch said. “Go to your lab and work like it’s any other day. I’ll be here this evening and we’ll talk some more.”

  She nodded, took a deep breath, and got back to work.

  * * * *

  Hutch stood in front of Noelle’s building, still thinking about that moment he’d seen the cold gleam in Jessica Layne’s eyes. He’d been quiet on the drive over, letting MaeBe blow off some steam about how no one should ever meet their idols because they turn out to be man-eating tigers who ignored other women when a hot guy was in the room. Kyle seemed to have found his feet again because he sounded confident as he joked about how hard it was to look so good.

  “Do you blame her? I work for all this,” Kyle was saying.

  But Hutch didn’t feel like joking because he’d seen that look in a woman’s eyes before. He’d seen it in a man’s, too. It was the look of a person who didn’t really see other people as anything but toys for their own amusement.

  He’d looked into those eyes and seen Hope McDonald’s. Jessica Layne had touched his hand and he’d remembered how McDonald would put her hand over his chest and call him one of her pretty boys.

  Kyle whistled, his head turned up. “Dude, the girl does well.”

  “She’s a chemist working for an incredibly successful company.” MaeBe had a bag of groceries in her hand. She’d driven her Prius from the office to Genedyne’s soaring glass building downtown, then to a Whole Foods, and finally to this building in Victory Park. They weren’t far from Michael Malone’s place, and he had oil money. Oh, he didn’t dip into his trust fund often, but he lived like a millionaire in that gorgeous condo. Noelle’s digs looked a little less crazy wealthy than that, but it was still nice.

  Jessica Layne was the type of woman who could take it away from her in a heartbeat.