TheSatellite (7 page)

“By all means, do tell,” Hatch stared at her suspiciously, wondering what she had in mind.

“First one to swim over and back wins and we end this petty rivalry.” She looked expectantly from him to Raef.

“What’s in it for us?” asked Raef.

“The satisfaction of winning?”

“Ah I need more incentive than that. How about the winner receives a kiss from you?”

She glanced at Hatch. His jaw twitched, yet he couldn’t back down. His woman and his bandmate had just challenged him in two ways. He’d gone and opened his mouth to boast. Now he had to accept their little game or live in embarrassment.

“Fine,” he muttered. “Never backed down to a challenge yet.” He definitely sensed she was testing him for some inexplicable reason.

“Great.” She raised her arms and smiled. “Ready. Set. Go!” She dropped both hands.

Hatch took a strong lead. Swimming at the gym was something he did often in New York. He doubted his saucy little woman knew that fact when she’d started this game. His arms swept over the water in broad strokes as he glided across the pool. Raef closed in from behind. No doubt he swam this pool every day, so beating him on his own turf would indeed be a sweet victory and put him in his place. If it took a silly swimming race to shove Raef back into the shadows, then so be it.

He touched the far wall then did a quick turn. Halfway across the pool, Hatch glanced back. His opponent was gaining quickly. Then suddenly Raef pulled ahead. Shock flooded Hatch. He refused to accept that this man, who’d been in the background during their entire music career, could outdo him. The closer they drew to the winning side, the greater lead Raef obtained.

Hatch stopped abruptly and grabbed his calf. “Shit! Damn leg cramp.” He made his way over to Flame. “Sorry, babe, my leg cramped up on me.” He feigned a wince.

“Aw, and you were doing so well.” She gave him a puzzled look. “I hope you learned your lesson. Bragging will get you nowhere because anything can happen.”

“You’re right. I was behaving like an ass.”

“Do I still get my kiss?” Raef asked.

Flame wrapped her arms around his neck. “A win is a win. Right, Hatch?”

“Yeah…” He gave a nod and sighed. “Go ahead, give him his prize.” Better to accept one kiss between them than to openly lose a race and sacrifice his pride.
What could one little kiss out in the open hurt, anyway? At least Flame will see I am a good sport.

What he thought would be a short sweet peck on the lips turned into a sizzling display of passion. No sooner did her lips meet Raef’s than he swept his arms up her bare back and pulled her close. Even worse, she wrapped those long killer legs around his waist and her graceful arms tighter about his neck. They merged together for at least a few minutes, locked in a kiss that could’ve stopped traffic. His mouth dropped open while watching.

When she finally eased back, Raef didn’t release her immediately. Hatch forced the image of their naked bodies rubbing against each other’s from his mind. He didn’t dare glance underwater. A misty glow shone on her face when she smiled back at Raef, making Hatch’s jealousy nearly impossible to conceal.

He cleared his throat and held his voice steady. “Okay…now that that’s settled, how about we go have some drinks.”

Chapter Five

A couple of the women not related to the band shot Flame dagger-eyed looks as she pulled herself from the water and toweled dry after a refreshing swim. She ignored them and got dressed. Her mission had become clear. But Hatch’s resistance posed a threat to her success.

Her gaze followed the increasingly appealing Raef as he pulled on tight white jeans but no shirt. His six-pack abs rippled with each movement. He looked like liquid stud poured into skintight denim. His easy way drew her in.

And the kiss.
Wow!
She inwardly gasped.
He is unbelievably hot!

She silently questioned her engagement. Hatch had become more controlling of late and less appealing every day since they’d left New York. His fake cramp made him look weak. He couldn’t handle losing a simple competition to his friend. His lust for power was a turnoff. A second marriage didn’t seem like a great idea now. She couldn’t allow herself to marry another weak control freak.

A flashback of the night she’d been held hostage by Aiden at his parents’ house sprang to mind.
Why did my ex take such extreme measures to get me away from Hatch? Was it jealousy, as I thought, or could there be any truth to his crazy suspicions?
And the question that still remained and haunted her,
How did my ex find out I’m a warrior?
Who could have possibly told him?

When Hatch had proposed marriage after he and Ian’s biker group rescued her from Von, she’d been elated by his heroic efforts and felt good about marrying him. However, as the weeks passed she noticed more and more his controlling and at times brooding, jealous demeanor. She had been hoping this road trip would reveal a lighter side to him. Even the sex between them on the ride out had become mundane.

The test in the pool satisfied most of her qualms regarding Hatch.

Ian approached carrying a tray of glasses, ice and various liquors and mixes. “You guys ready to let down and party the night away?”

Hatch nodded. “Sounds good.”

Streaks of light from a setting sun picked up the sparkle in the crystal tumblers. She admired their beauty. She loved things that sparkled. They reminded her of Celestial Village. A sudden longing for home swept through her, but she couldn’t allow herself the luxury of sentiment tonight. Instead, she poured herself a tall drink consisting of rum, blue liqueur, watermelon Schnapps, and a couple different fruit juices.

“Just what do you call that concoction?” Hatch arched one brow and grinned.

“Amnesia.”

“Are you trying to forget something?”

“Not really…just feeling a bit homesick. I’ll be fine.”

He observed her with scrutinizing eyes. She brushed his invasive attempt aside to enjoy her drink. “You should try one.”

“Maybe I will.”

She watched as he poured the same mixtures into his glass, impressed yet troubled that he’d remembered her every action with precise detail. His intense scrutiny felt alarming at times.

Ian pulled up a chair to join them after he’d played host to the guests. Raef was nowhere in sight.

“Shouldn’t Raef be playing host to his guests?”

“Ah, I don’t mind. Raef seemed a bit off so I told him to chill and I’d take care of things. I’ve been spending most of my time here anyway, since Cassie went back to Asia.”

“Is she staying until the baby comes?”

“I hope not. I want our child born here in the states. Once we get rid of the Satellite, I will bring Cassie home.”

“I understand the urgency, then, and why you didn’t waste time approaching me for help.”

Ian’s expression softened. “I can’t thank you enough for doing this.”

“I knew something was headed my way, just didn’t know what until we arrived here.”

“How did you know? Are you psychic?”

“Nooo…just intuitive. My training has heightened my senses.”

“Well, I am very relieved to have found you. I was beginning to think the warriors spoken of did not exist.”

“We are an underground civilization. The only reason I spoke of it to the band was because of the traumatic events that occurred backstage and then again in Hatch’s apartment. I wanted to put your minds at ease regarding my actions.”

“I appreciate your candor and in turn, we have not told any outsiders of your association. I waited until you were here to unveil what I know about the Satellite.”

“Thank you for your discretion.”

“Even Raef has a great deal of respect for you. When we set out looking for you, he was the first to find your daggers. He refused to let anyone touch them.”

“Yeah…” Hatch sighed, then grumbled, “He was unusually protective over the blades, wouldn’t even let me hold them, and I’m your fiancé.”

“Don’t be angry,” she gently chided. “Raef seems to have naturally embraced who I am without question…like blind faith. He will be a powerful ally to me.”

“And me?”

She hesitated while searching his eyes. “You are still very skeptical. Negative vibes can cloud my vision.”

“Great…my bandmate is closer to my woman than I am.”

“I didn’t say that. But until you truly accept everything about me, your judgment in certain situations may be lacking. I cannot risk one single mistake against this new predator. Not only is he a threat to Cassie, but especially to my entire nation.” She turned toward Ian. “You’ve actually done me a great service by doing all the research and keeping it a secret. This incubus must be destroyed to protect all women.”

Hatch polished off his third drink and poured another refill. “These go down quite nice.” His eyes looked heavy and his speech had slowed. “Maybe if I drink enough Amnesia, this whole nightmare will be gone when I am sober.”

“I’m so glad you view my calling as a
nightmare
.” Flame stared at him in shock for a moment then shook her head. “Ian, I need to use the bathroom, where is it?”

“Wait b-baby,” he stammered. “I’ll-I’ll take you upstairs…”

“I can manage just fine on my own,” she snapped. “Your
nightmare
won’t be the only thing gone when you sober up.”

“Hang a right once you leave the foyer, go up the stairs and it’s the third door on the left.” Ian told her. “I’ll stay with Hatch to make sure he doesn’t fall in the pool.”

“Thanks.” She pushed off her chair. “Yeah Hatch isn’t much of a night owl, better not let him out of your sight.”

“Sorry your first day here was so heavy. Maybe tomorrow we can relax. Coop is riding in and I’d like you to be acquainted with him before we head out on the road. How does that sound?”

“That’s fine. I look forward to meeting the leader of your group.” She excused herself, then headed into the house.

Hatch’s attitude irked her. Just when she thought he’d begun to accept her, he had to open his mouth and say something stupid again.
I should’ve pushed him into the pool and let him show everyone what an ass he is. Nightmare! I’ll show him a nightmare!

She admired Raef’s home on the way up the long staircase. The rooms were very spacious and he’d chosen modern décor in black and white with a splash of color here and there. She noticed tall green plants by the huge windows and a few throw pillows tossed around, but not much clutter. A massive entertainment center graced the entire main wall of his living room.

Typical male dwelling,
she mused while wandering down the hall. The bathroom was also oversized with a roomy garden tub below an arched window, live ferns on the sill and soft lighting. A shower stall took up one corner and a linen closet had been built into the opposite corner. Overall, his home impressed her. Neat, clean and fresh smelling, she liked his style.

I can only imagine the bedrooms.
She checked her appearance in the large oval mirror, touched up the liner on her eyes and applied a fresh coat of pale pink gloss. Her engagement ring sparkled under the vanity lights. She stared at it and sighed.
A nightmare…if he cannot respect my sisterhood then he doesn’t respect me. Alcohol…nature’s truth serum.
Her rising doubts regarding her engagement had come to a head when he’d blurted out his true feelings. She could never bind herself to someone so utterly obnoxious, and she scolded herself for allowing his initial charm to sway her.

The wild sex backstage had been the best part of their relationship, and it was all she’d really wanted anyway. She didn’t go to that damned concert looking for chains. She was looking for fun and a hard man to relieve her tension. Hatch attached himself like an octopus.
Ugh, how did I ever let him get close to me?
She let out a quick breath in a huff.

Slowly, while gazing at her reflection in the mirror, she twisted the gold band off her finger and studied it for several long, thoughtful moments.
No, don’t second-guess this. Follow your heart. This man is not right for you.
Gently she tucked the ring into her jean’s pocket then opened the door.

“Find everything okay?” Raef’s appearance in the doorway startled her.

“Y-yes…you have a beautiful home.” Her cheeks felt hot. She couldn’t believe she was blushing. “Ian said you were feeling off, are you okay?”

“Yeah. Are you?”

She shrugged. “I guess. Hatch…never mind…I shouldn’t talk about it.”

A gentle hand cupped her chin and turned her face toward his. “You can tell me anything.” He stepped closer. “What I’d like to know is, was the kiss staged to spite Hatch or was it real?”

“I’m not sure how to answer that.”

“The tension between you and him is obvious, at least to me it is. I picked up the change when you walked through the door.”

“He has become very controlling. And no, the kiss was not staged. It was very real. Still, I am in his world so I’m not sure I did the right thing by going with my feelings in the pool.”

“Do you deny a connection between us?”

“No…but I’ve been afraid to acknowledge what I feel.”

“You’re engaged to the wrong man.”

His bold comment stunned her. “Not anymore.” She lifted her left hand. “He caught me in the moment after the gallant rescue on the highway from Von and Aiden. What he said on the terrace a few minutes ago confirmed the doubts I’ve been having.”

“I see.”

“You were quiet back then. You guarded my daggers, for which I am grateful. Then you handed them over without a word.”

“I never thought Hatch would use your vulnerable state of mind to seek a premature commitment.”

“He moves very fast and is extremely possessive.”

Raef braced his hands on the doorjamb above her head. Still naked to the waist, his sexy abs rippled and his biceps flexed with each shift of his weight. “I need to know how you feel, now…since we kissed.”

She gazed up into his deeply expressive eyes. “Uncertain.”