Romancing the Alpha: An Action-Adventure Romance Boxed Set (113 page)

Her lips on him, her hands on him, her tongue on him, proved to be too much. Cruz moved until Nola was flush against the wall. Her lips and tongue still teased his chest, and he imagined how they would feel on his cock, wondered what it would be like to lose himself in the warm cavern of her mouth. But at this moment, he knew it wouldn’t be enough.

So he reached for one of her full thighs and set it on his hip and then repeated the motion with the other. The heat of her sex radiated against him, a siren’s call he would answer. When he shifted, his cock moved unerringly to her center, and he felt Nola’s need and urgency in the arch of her back, saw it in the depths of her eyes, so intense, it nearly matched his own.

With his first easy thrust, her silken walls pulled at him, beckoning him deeper. Cruz guided himself inside her, moving deeper and deeper until not an inch separated them.

Being inside her before had been incredible, but this was something more.

He’d almost lost her, had just only realized how much she meant to him, and to have the chance to be so close to her again was the greatest blessing.

That thought echoing in his mind, he thrust into her, her soft body trapped between him and the wall. And Nola was with him, every panted-out breath and low moan proving to him that he wasn’t alone in this.

Soon, too soon, Cruz felt the tingle that signaled his impending release, so with one hand braced against the wall, he used the other to reach between their bodies and strum Nola’s clit, teasing and stroking the tight bundle of nerves until Nola called out again and again, her voice breaking over the harsh cries.

When her body stiffened, her already snug walls clamped down even tighter, squeezing Cruz’s cock in the most delicious vise, and he lost the battle for control. Cum shot from him in hard spurts as the most intense climax he’d ever experienced raced through him. And as amazing as it was, it was nothing compared to the feeling of Nola against him, her skin wet and warm against his, the faint pounding of her heart under the palm he’d placed between her breasts. Her eyes, so sweet, so beautiful, watching him.

He knew he had no choice, but Cruz wondered where he’d find the strength to let her go.

••••

“Put this on,” Cruz said as he handed Nola a thick resort bathrobe.

She was soaking wet, knew that her hair was probably a mess, but she didn’t care a bit.

She’d made it out of that jungle, Cruz was safe, and the passionate encounter in the shower would be enough to fuel her fantasies for the rest of her life. Nola had known her life was safe, staid, but this entire experience, Cruz, had shown her how little she’d lived before. She’d never been so scared, but she’d never felt so alive, so loved. She knew that once this adventure was over, she’d never feel that love again.

Once she’d put on the robe and settled on the small settee, she stared at Cruz, the silence between them easy, their bodies having said what needed to be said, expressed the relief at having found each other again.

“Why are you here?” Cruz asked out of the blue.

“Well, there was this truck that was filled to overflowing with scary-looking dudes who were shooting at me, so I ran into the jungle, where my dashing guardian Duarte found me and brought me here,” she said.

“Dashing, huh?” he replied.

She didn’t respond, but smiled bright. “Here in Vietnam, you mean?”

He nodded.

“The million-dollar question. I guess I just wanted to get away.”

“Was it a guy?” he said, and though his voice was the same, Nola didn’t miss the narrowing of his eyes.

“Yes and no. It’s kind of embarrassing actually,” she said.

Cruz stayed quiet, but his interest was clear.

“He fell in love.” Nola shrugged.

“And left you,” he said, voice rough with offense. Nola warmed at the knowledge that this man, who was a practical stranger, was offended on her behalf.

“Yes. He and a friend of ours—his—realized they were meant to be, so there was no room for Nola at the inn.”

“How long?”

“Had we been together?”

He nodded.

“Seven years.”

Cruz’s eyes narrowed again. “That’s a long time. When did it end?”

“Umm, a little over a month ago,” Nola said.

He looked shocked for a moment, assessing Nola with eyes that went unreadable.

“You didn’t love him,” Cruz said after a moment, his voice brimming with certainty.

“Maybe I thought I did once, but no, I didn’t. The feeling was mutual.”

“He’s a fool,” Cruz said, and then he stood and moved to the window. He’d said the words with such conviction, Nola couldn’t help but believe him.

About an hour later, Nola heard the low hum of an engine. Cruz perked, and after a quick peek out the window, he unlocked the door.

Sam, Ace, and Saint filed in, and Nola realized that she was relieved to see all of them, even Saint, in good health.

“Got you guys some stuff,” Sam said, heading straight to Cruz to hand him a black duffel. Then he walked over to Nola and handed her one as well.

“Thanks, Sam,” she said.

“Ma’am.” He nodded, clearly happy to see her.

“Let’s get dressed, Nola,” Cruz said.

She followed him into the bathroom, admiring how masculine he looked even in the fluffy terry cloth robe. He dressed quickly, his movements efficient, looking much as he had on the shuttle when she’d first seen him, save his wet hair. Nola also dressed quickly, and though the clothes weren’t a perfect fit, she was relieved to have them despite her self-consciousness at not wearing a bra.

When they emerged from the bathroom, Sam had set up yet another computer that Ace and Saint were crowded around.

“So any clue what our visitors were after?” Cruz said.

Saint shrugged his huge shoulders. “Seems as though there’s been a slight misunderstanding.”

He grabbed a folder and stalked toward Nola.

“Is this the man who switched seats with you?” he asked, holding a picture in front of her face.

Nola looked at the picture, searching for any similarity or familiarity.

“Yes…?” she finally said.

“Was that a question?” Saint barked.

She spared a second to glare at him, something she couldn’t have imagined doing a week ago. Then she looked back at the picture. “It’s him. He was wearing sunglasses, but it’s him.”

“What’s the story?” Cruz said.

“Our Good Samaritan is a low-level diplomat with ties to organized crime who’s apparently looking to strike out on his own. He was carrying the drive for an HCMC syndicate and apparently his plan was to exchange it for seed money to fund his own operation. So the guys who were coming after you, Nola, worked for him. The ones who came after us work for the rightful owner of this information.”

“Sounds complicated,” Nola said, though this time she sounded as nonchalant as the guys. She supposed she was getting used to it.

“Not for us,” Cruz said. He turned to Saint. “So I assume if we get this information to its rightful owner, we can wash our hands of this?”

“I’m impressed. Looks like I finally taught you something. About damn time,” Saint said.

“Sam?” Ace said.

“Yeah, I think I found the perfect location. Tell your contact to meet you here,” Sam said, and then he called out coordinates.

“So once you make this exchange, this will be over?” Nola said, not wanting to get her hopes up, but feeling excited nonetheless.

Cruz walked over to her and pulled her into a hug. “Yes.”

“Sorry you got stuck babysitting me,” Nola said.

Cruz, Ace, and Saint had set out earlier, leaving Sam with strict instructions to keep his eye on Nola and the door.

“No problem,” Sam said, stabbing at his keyboard like he always seemed to be. “I’m the resident den mother, so it’s nothing new.”

Nola could have sworn she heard a sharp edge of bitterness in his voice, but he looked at her with the same easygoing smile he’d worn since the first time she’d seen him and most of the times after, so she dismissed it.

“How long have you been doing this?” she asked, attempting to fill the awkward silence that had fallen between them.

“Computer stuff?”

“I’m sure it’s not just computer stuff,” Nola said.

“It seems that way,” Sam said, and this time Nola didn’t miss the faint tinge of regret and bitterness in his tone.

Something in his voice compelled her to go over to him.

“I’ve been there,” she said when she stood beside him.

Sam knit his brows together and stared at her. “Been where?”

“You know, in that place where it feels like nobody appreciates you, like you don’t even matter.”

The furrow deepened, and Sam sputtered. “I don’t… I’m not…”

Nola smiled and then patted Sam’s long, thin hand.

“You don’t have to say anything, but trust me, I can tell. Here’s some unsolicited advice. A good friend of mine used to tell me I needed to show people what I’m made of. The same is true for you. Show the guys how good you are, and they won’t have any choice but to respect you.”

She patted his hand again, and for a moment, he sat still, looking at the spot where she’d touched him. Then he turned his eyes toward her, and the friendliness she’d seen there was gone, consumed by coldness.

“I’m really glad you feel that way,” Sam said.

Then he lifted a gun.

••••

Cruz pressed the small receiver in his ear.

“Is this feeling fishy to anybody?” he whispered softly.

“Yep,” was Ace’s reply.

Saint said nothing, but he didn’t need to. Like it had when he’d first glimpsed Nola, his sixth sense was screaming about how wrong this was. Sam had been insistent that this was the most likely location, but something was off. It was far too quiet, and far too deserted.

“Change of plans. We need to go back and regroup, figure out what’s going on,” Cruz said.

“I’m afraid it’s too late for that.” Sam’s voice buzzed over the comm.

Cruz pressed his comm and said, “Ace, did you hear that?”

Silence was his response.

His heart began to pound, and a tingling sensation came over him. Yeah, something was majorly wrong, and his first thought was that he needed to get to Nola.

He turned and went back toward the Range Rover, using all of his discipline not to run. He needed to stay calm. For Nola.

As he moved, Ace materialized from the semidarkness of the night, and a few steps later Saint did the same, all of the men moving with the same purpose.

“Stop wasting your time,” Sam said over the comm.

Cruz’s gut clenched at the cool distance in Sam’s voice. He’d never heard that particular tone from Sam, but Cruz knew it was a bad omen. He looked to Ace and then Saint and both men nodded that they’d heard.

“I’ve moved her. And you’re not ever going to find us.”

Cruz’s blood turned to ice in his veins. He’d known there was something wrong, but he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Sam, what are you talking about?” he asked.

“There’s been a change of plans. I’ve decided it’s time to take an early retirement, and you’re going to help me. Well, if Ms. Bailey’s health means anything to you, and I know it does, you will.”

The man whom he’d almost counted a friend now sounded like a complete stranger, his voice icy cold, and worse, deadly sounding.

“Sam, think about what you’re doing. This isn’t the way, man,” Cruz said.

He was surprised that he managed to sound so calm, especially given how he felt. Cruz’s stomach twisted at the thought of Nola alone with him, at the realization that he’d left her at Sam’s mercy without a second thought.

“Save it. You don’t have time for speeches, and I won’t be swayed,” Sam said, voice dripping with a certainty and power Cruz had never heard in it before.

They reached the Range Rover but Saint clapped him on the shoulder before he could touch the door. And he was right. Sam undoubtedly had trackers on the vehicle. They’d have to find another way.

“You don’t have to take the car, but it doesn’t make a difference. You’re going to keep your comm on so I can keep tabs.”

“Sam, what are you after? What are you really after?” Cruz said, that clench in his gut tightening to the point of being excruciating.

“Why do you care? You never cared before.”

He sounded bitter, almost like a scorned lover. “Sam, whatever it is, Nola doesn’t need to be involved. You said it yourself, she’s just a clueless tourist, so let her go and we’ll handle this, whatever it is.”

“I did say that, but you didn’t listen. You never listen. None of you do. But you’re listening now,” Sam said.

Cruz imagined himself knocking Sam’s teeth out, or worse, when he had the chance.

“Sam, just tell me what you want,” he said, voice tight.

“I want you to steal the tusks,” Sam said.

“What?”

“You heard me. I already got the information off the jump drive, so I know where they are. You’re going to bring them to me if you want her back alive,” Sam said.

“Even if I could, do you think whoever you’re stealing them from is just going to let you go?”

“That’s my concern. You just get the tusks. I’ll be in touch.”

The line went dead.

Cruz took his comm out and only the fact that it was his last tenuous connection to Nola kept him from shattering it into a thousand pieces.

He held it in his hand, though, and then looked over at Ace, who looked as murderous as Cruz felt. Saint was just his usual self, but Saint was always his usual self. But Cruz knew he would come along for the ride.

“So what are we going to do?” Ace asked.

There was only one answer.

When they reached the coordinates Sam had given them, they set up and reconned the site. They were deep in the jungle several hundred yards from the banks of the Saigon River. The setup wasn’t formal, just a collection of corrugated metal sheds and a makeshift dock. The type of location was pretty common for processing illegal goods, the river a perfect method for moving product.

“Are we really about to steal seventy-five kilos of poached rhino tusks and turn them over to that piece of shit?” Ace asked.