Carried Away (2010) (7 page)

he kissed her beneath the curve of one breast, and then the other. And this, he added as he dipped his tongue inside her navel. But most of all... He paused and left her hanging. Yes? She expected he was going to lick her pussy. He grinned. I love your knees. He hooked his hands under both joints and lifted them to bite each one in turn. 56 Carried Away She chuckled. You do not! You are a terrible man! She batted his shoulders as he continued to kiss the inside of her kneecaps and the swell of her calves, down to her ankle bones. There, he captured her feet and nipped each toe. Wow, love the taste of these! Toe jam? You are nuts, Warwick! You bet your sweet ass, I am. For you, babe. And you know it. He was laughing with her into her glowing eyes. So roll over and let me tell you what else I love. Her violet eyes flashed with expectation. Yeah? He snorted. If she thought he was going to give it to her from behind, she had no idea of his stamina. Or his imagination. Let me see the flip side, honey, or youll never know, will you? She growled and grumbled. Yes, yes! Beneath him she did a roll, the brush of her skin on his a freaking temptation to just fuck her now and make them both so damn happy. But he had to drive her crazy, far, far from her troubles. When she was settled, he let himself down along her body for a full feel. Christ. It had been so long since hed savored her. He rose. This time, he started with the backs of her knees. He dropped kisses to each one and grunted. He nibbled his way up her thighs and when he got to her sweet cheeks, he blew air on her skin. For all this, Warwick, she threatened in a sultry whine, I am going to get you good. He levered up and bit her shoulder. Bet on it. She pressed her hips into the mattress, a rhythm now going for him to imitate once he got inside that sweet pussy again. He sat back on his haunches and splayed his fingers on her back, massaging any remaining tension from her scapulae. He felt the delicacy of her small waist. The plush 57 Cerise DeLand wealth of her ass cheeks. Then he sent his fingers between her legs, along the drenched line of her seam. His forehead dropped to her back. How had he ever been so blessed to find her? How damn long he had missed her! He sank his fingers up inside her cunt. She was so soft. So his. He reared up and rolled her over. In one move, he grabbed her knees and pushed them up and back beside her torso. This way, he had a full view of the swollen glistening pussy. The froth of hair. The puffy lips. The delicate folds that spilled this way and that from her pretty cunt. The delicate channel waiting to be filled by his cock. The way she squeezed her muscles and sent up a fresh waft of her musk to his nostrils. He nudged her creamy core with the weeping tip of his aching cock. How he remembered to grab a condom, he couldnt say. But he shoved the damn thing on and sank deep, deep inside her. She dug her fingers in his hips. He sank farther. In a long furious set of thrusts, he took her up and pounded into her with a fury she matched. She squeezed her eyes shut and shouted how she loved this. He changed his tempo to a slow grind and she groaned through her teeth. He took his sweet damn time sliding into her succulent pussy, loving the sound of her juicy need and feeling every hot inch of her cunt hold him and keep him tight. Loving the sight of her red lips taking his cock inside her, he knew he could fuck her til he died and never tire. And when his cum rushed up and he rocked until he felt like he had emptied every drop inside her, he felt hed ground every beat of his heart into her as well. He felt her pulse with him, over and over, her spasms frantic things that left her spent and panting. Both of them covered in sweat. Minutes later, he rose up on shaking arms. He tugged at her hand. Limp as silk, she rose but draped against him, exhausted, her head lolling. He swept her up and took her into the bathroom. Standing her against her wall, he kissed her as he rolled off the 58 Carried Away condom, tied it and dropped it in the trash, then reached inside the shower and warmed up the water. Come here, babe, he led her in, his arms wrapping around her to hold her up. Let me wash you. Well both sleep better and late. If I can keep my hands off you. Then tomorrow, Ill worry about what were doing to set you free. 59 Cerise DeLand Chapter Six She awakened to the luscious suck of hard lips over one of her nipples and the stroke of tender fingers circling her clit. She stretched, a smile spreading heat through her body. Im boneless, she announced in a husky tone filled with last nights joys. Yeah? Grant chuckled, his deep voice sending vibrations from her breast down to her pussy. Well, Im not! Yum, she purred and rubbed her thigh against the length of his cock. One hard bone. He ate his way down her torso. Im gonna show you how big it is, too! Not right now, youre not. She slipped to one side. Ive got to brush my teeth. Among other things. He shifted to allow her up, his black brows wiggling at the sight of her naked. Thought youd be appreciative. I certainly am of what I see. I promise to come back. She pointed at his impressive length. How could I ignore an invitation like that? She felt her insides go to mush. Hell, she moaned and put a hand over her eyes. Ive got to stop ogling you. She made a beeline for the john. In the bathroom, she took one look at the swirl of towels on the floor. The ones hed used to dry them both off last night after their shower. She shivered at the memory of his hands all over her, rubbing her with the nubby terrycloth, making her want and beg for more. Hed been so sweet, telling her shed have more of him this morning. Making good on all your promises, she told him beneath her breath as she surveyed herself in the mirror. My god. She looked like a different woman. Wild. Hair sticking up. Lips lush from kisses. Breasts full and aching for more of his attention. 60 Carried Away Ah! She whirled for the toilet and then came back to stare again. She was pink, rosy. Flushed with fulfillment like she had not known since shed left him. Branded by his little bite marks on her breasts, her shoulders and her knees. She picked up her toothbrush out of her cosmetics case and plastered toothpaste on it, then scrubbed her teeth. Her eyes were bright, too. The shadows he had recognized were a lighter shade this morning. Because of him. She rinsed her teeth and stuck her brush back in its traveling case. Grabbing a small towel, she put it under the faucet. Why didnt they have washcloths in European countries? Its not like theyre broke. Who? Grant walked into the room. She held up the wet toweling, explained and added, Americans are the ones without a shirt on their backs! He grinned as he came forward and plastered his big body against her. Between her ass cheeks, she felt him insert his hard shaft. I dont want you to wear any shirt, thats for sure. You either, buddy. She turned and wound her arms around his neck. Chimes rung in the next room. Whats that? she asked. Not church bells. He gave her a peck on the cheek. My phone. Todd, or it better be. Ah. Do they have room service here? Ill call while you do your thing. No! You are not here. Remember? He warned her with a stern look. I promise Ill order your coffee once Ive finished my business with Todd, he told her as he made his way back to the bedroom. While he talked, she took another shower. Washed her hair. Padded into her own bedroom and found a bra, tee shirt and jeans. She grinned. No panties. Oh, yeah. She liked that concept and went with it. Letting her hair dry naturally, she ran her fingers through her curls and walked back in to the bedroom to join him. 61 Cerise DeLand Grant sat at the desk, still naked and frowning in the midst of his conversation with Todd, a man Coco knew to be Grants guru of all things organizational. I dont care what strings you have to pull, he told the man in Houston, I want as much as you can get and I need it by two oclock. Also, I need the number for Nick Chekov at the American Embassy. Ive got to talk to him. Yes, Ill wait. He glanced at the clock on the table and threw her a perfunctory smile. She sat down on the edge of the bed to listen. Youve got it? Okay. Im ready. He jotted down a number on the hotel stationery. Call him after we hang up. Tell him Im coming. But fax me that report now. Right, to my phone. Encrypted. He listened for a long while. Okay. And, ah, that first matter? Yes, I want that by five. I know its a rush, but give the man a bonus and fly it over. Good enough. Bye. Grant sat for a minute, staring out the window. Coco went to put her arms around his neck and kiss his bald head. You okay? Ive been better. He sent his hands up her arms, put his lips to the crook in her elbow. She sighed. I know. Ive brought you trouble. Lots of it. He pulled her down and around to sit on his lap. I deal in stopping trouble. She gave him a sweet kiss. No better man. His phone rang. She glanced down at it as the screen illuminated. A fax had arrived in his inbox. Whats going on? What are you getting from Todd? A report on Marias attack from the San a embassy. How did you get that? she asked in awe. Im a magician. He winked at her and picked up his phone. Let me read this. As he did, his expression went from concerned to alarmed. When he looked up at her again, his voice was flat. The Yemeni police have questioned the boys who 62 Carried Away attacked Maria and her friend and the kids do sound as if they were looking for a trim, blonde American woman. She hunched her shoulders and shivered. Im going to try to help her all I can. Grant hugged her. Shes smart. And determined. We have to hope doctors can save her sight. Coco agreed, but she had to know more. And what else is Todd doing for you this morning? Getting me a report on Ahmed Suleiman. The Agency wont give that to a private citizen. Im not going to Langley to get this. No? I have a friend. She snorted. Sweetie, to get that report you would have to have a friend more powerful than God! So that means after I get it, youll tell me how well Im connected? She cuffed him. Meanwhile, Im calling room service for breakfast. Anything special? Chocolate croissants and lots of coffee. With cream. Wow. I never met a woman so unafraid of calories. He picked up the house phone, made the order and went for the bathroom. Do not open that door. Ill be out of the shower in a flash. But if Todd calls back, get me right away! As he showered, she brooded.

Trapped in a hotel room with a delicious man shed needed for years was one thing. But she knew she was also trapped in a nightmare she couldnt shake. Try though she might, she only got in deeper. All because a nice man had offered to take her to a political meeting one day in the desert. Because she had a damn brilliant memory and a thirst for excitement. 63 Cerise DeLand That was then. Now all she wanted was a rest from the worry. The loneliness. The feeling that the one great relationship shed had in her life she had thrown over for the Agency. The Company. But she knew the bigger reason was because she had made a promise to her father to get these guys. Grants phone rang again. She picked it up and read the signature line. Todd. Grant! she shouted as she took it in to him. He stepped out, grabbing a towel and the phone. Here I am. Yeah? Tell me. Coco left him to his conversation, but from the grunts he made as she walked away, she knew whatever he was hearing was not good news. Sitting on the chaise, she waited for him. But when he came back in, one look at his glazed eyes and she knew whatever hed learned was disastrous. Whats wrong? She stood. Grant stepped closer, grasping her upper arms. I wont sugarcoat this, babe. The Paris police found Ahmed Suleiman the day before yesterday. In his apartment. Grant brushed hair back from her cheeks. Hes dead, Coco. Murdered. Oh, Grant, no! He hated violence. He didnt deserve this then. He was tortured. Tears burned her eyes. How? she rasped. His tongue was cut out and left on the table by his body. Beneath his tongue was a note. Claiming responsibility? And giving a warning. To whom? What did it say? Beware to all women at the meeting of the Stars of the Desert. Its true then! Hakim is hunting me! She swallowed hard. Grant tipped up her chin. His jaw set. His look fierce. Well get some caffeine so well both be firing on all cylinders. He gave her lips a light kiss and hugged her close. 64 Carried Away Well sit and talk. Make a list of everything you know about Hakim and his buddies. What he said, what they did, how they all looked. Well figure this out. Find a way to end this. Keep you safe. For all time. Do you hear me? I do. He examined her. What are you thinking? She stepped backward and ran her hands through her hair. I have to find Hakim before he finds me. We do, Grant corrected her. She gave him a small smile. Yes. We do. But how? She folded her arms as Grant sat in the chair to watch her. Which of the two radicals remaining was Hakim? Langley had pictures of suspects and shed been over and over them. None had struck her as the two still at large. Had she made any mistakes in recollecting the attendees at that meeting? Shed been so certain about identifying the first two and then the third man in Madrid. Since Marias attack, shed been over and over the memory a thousand times. Discussed it as many times with her control, others at headquarters. Shed seen mug shots, action pix. So many, so often. Was her famous photographic memory failing her? Another thought occurred to her. And she reached for her cell. Powered it up. Called the relay number to her control. She walked the floor, sat at the desk, paced again. Her phone rang. Hi, Coco said, then gave her code. She heard a click and a voice on the other end greeted her in a thick New Jersey accent. There is a problem in Paris, Coco told her control. Have you heard about it? Only this morning. Anything I need to know? And why the hell didnt you tell me? We have a report but it is very brief. Perhaps you might visit? 65 Cerise DeLand You read Grants mind. Coco had to hold herself back from yelling her next thought. Who would you suggest? Hook me up for once in your life! Earn your salary! You have friends, colleagues in Paris. My friends. My colleagues. Coco winced. And what about our friends in Jerusalem? Israeli international intelligence, the Mossad. Those guys seem to know everyone, good, bad or worse. They must be interested in the event in Paris. Do they have any ideas? Ill check and let you know. You do that. Thanks. I understand things worked out with the contract there in Venice. With the security firm, yes. Grants on board. More help than you, thats for sure. Sheik Nasar is pleased then. Bravo. Thanks. I did it for me, not you. I told you after Marias attack Im leaving the Company. Im not cut out for it. Anything else I should know? Not that Ive heard. Terrific. Nothing about the theft from Sheik Nasar? I cant help you there. Thats your private business. Although I will say the Italian Guardia are not happy with Mr. Warwicks nosing into the theft. Coco could hear the irritation in her controls voice, too. Whats that to you? We try to keep Nasar happyand hes not that your boyfriend is investigating. Really? Since Nasar hired him for security, dont you think that is rather odd? Control sighed. Im just saying... Saying what? Coco persisted. Watch your step. Find Hakim. Get this over with and then you can go back to photography. And you? You can go back to incompetence with other agents. Until next time, then. 66 Carried Away Coco flipped her phone closed. As ever, she felt as if shed been flicked off big-time by her contact in Langley. Must be nice to sit in a cozy office with buddies tucked safely into cubby holes making calls out to the world. Well, she was definitely not in a secure little office. She had to work hard out here in the cruel world. In a few sentences, she told Grant what her control had said how no support was coming their way on the stolen artifact. We dont need their help, Grant assured her. But I will check out the Guardias displeasure with me. I did them a favor last year that they ought to repay. Meanwhile, whats your call on our next step? How do you feel about going to Paris? Without blinking, he said, Ill call my pilot and tell him to file a new flight plan. And Ill call Jamal Husseini, too, and tell him well postpone our arrival in Dubai tomorrow. He wont be happy. I had Todd get our forensics boys on one of our planes yesterday. I cant do anything anyway until I know what the facts of the theft are. And I have to learn what I can about Ahmeds death. Agreed. But that was not the end of the line for her. She knew it. Felt it. She had to retrace her steps, her conclusions. That meant doing the one thing everyone said had been unnecessary. Go back to check the two suspects whom shed cleared three years ago when she declared the Madrid terrorist a member of the radical group. True, the Israeli Shin Bettheir internal securitywould not be happy campers that she had returned. They liked monitoring their own problems. But monitoring was not her job. My job is to solve this puzzle. Find the two other radical men still out there who attended that meeting. See if one of them claims to be Hakim. 67 Cerise DeLand She hit the redial on her phone to call control again. But she clicked off. She had the addresses for both suspects and she remembered how to get there. She needed no help from control. Hell, when had she ever gotten any? She gazed at the one man who promised her help ... and love. And if she could find this man Hakim, straighten out this puzzle, she stood a chance of getting out of this hunt. Stood a chance of living a normal life ... with Grant. Thats what I want to do. Find these men, stop them and let the pros take over. I have to do this. For my country. For Grants safety and any hope for me to get out of this alive. 68 Carried Away Chapter Seven She was still as tight as a drum when she and Grant arrived at Marco Polo Airport and took a shuttle out to the private jet hangar. When she caught sight of Grants sleek private flying fortress. she had to grin. Money suits you well. He assisted her up the gangway into the main cabin. Nothing like poverty when youre a kid to make you appreciate a dollar. Ill say. She did a three-sixty in the lobby of the plane. Well, shed call it a lobby, but he might call it the entrance. Nothing plain could describe for her the elegance of teak and ivory, gold trim, and woven carpeting that led from the cabin door straight back through a seating area. Dotted with huge lounge chairs on bolted casters, the living area also sported a table for meetings or dining, a flat panel TV, galley and at the far end, a closed door. She ran her hands over the buttery texture of the white leather chairs and hummed her approval. Love your taste. He gave her a lopsided grin. Come meet the pilot. He took her to the cockpit, a small space as well appointed as the cabin. Mark Calderon. Coco Dalton. Mark is a crackerjack, although he is very modest about it all. In 2004, he used to rocket diplomats into the Green Zone in Baghdad. An artful dodger. Impressive, she told the tall, dark man whose Latino heritage gave him a smooth golden complexion many women would die for in more ways than one. Nice to meet you, Mark. Glad youre taking us to Paris. Mark greeted her. We wont be dodging anything today. Weathers good. No turbulence. We should be pulling into Orly in about two hours, give or take the towers routing skills. He took hold of the cockpit door. If youll excuse me, Ive got to file my plans. 69 Cerise DeLand She nodded at him. Former Marine buddy of yours, too? Yep. Grant led her back through the cabin toward the lounge chairs. Plus Mark, Cord and Tate Ryder and I all played high school football together. Once a team, always a team? Grant smiled at her. Friends are hard to come by. You learn a lot about someone when you work with them. Would you like a drink? Water? Coffee? He had led her to the galley and pushed open a mini-refrigerator stocked with every imaginable concoction. The Italian orange. She ran her hands over the countertop, noted the microwave and the toaster oven as he opened her soda. How long have you owned the plane? Over a year. Bought it secondhand from a bank in New York. When the economy tanked last year, they had a fire sale. I offered them cash below asking price to help douse their flames. She chuckled and accepted the bottle from him. Which bank? He named one. She made a face. Ouch. Your cash didnt save them from death. They didnt plan well. They werent honest with each other. They deserved to fail. He took her hand. Come, sit and lets talk. When they faced each other in separate chairs, Grant examined her features. Youre worn out with this. If I hadnt known I was seeing you in Venice, if I wasnt able to persuade you to stay and help me, she admitted with a weary sigh, Im not sure I would have been able to see it through. What about your control? Doesnt he help? She shrugged. She. And no, shes not much of team player. So I figured from what I overheard of your conversation. Why doesnt she play well with others? 70 Carried Away Coco wiggled her brows at Grant. She sees me as her competition. Ah. Yeah. Coco took a sip of her drink. She knows about you helping me. I told her my plan a few weeks ago. She wasnt happy, but I told her she hadnt sent me any other resources so I was enlisting my own. And did she run it up the chain of command? I didnt ask. Dont know if Id even get an answer if I had. Coco shrugged. You are probably right. Coco considered her soda for a minute. I need to go to Israel and Naples, too. Will you come with me? Wherever you go, Im there. She let her gratitude shine in her eyes. If I made a mistake in IDing any of the three under lock and key, I have to start somewhere. Hakim implies he is a brother of the man in Madrid. I need to return to Jerusalem to take one more look at the man Langley says is his older sibling. He lives in Jerusalem and teaches English at a college there. When I saw him three years ago, I didnt think he was one of the men at the meeting in the desert. Grant nodded. Do we have photos of this brother? We do. Ive seen them. All poor. Taken in little or no light. At angles that face recognition software cannot capture or analyze well. Thats one reason why Langley has needed me from the start of this. The technology of algorithms is not perfect. It cannot take measurements and determine if those fit the body language, the posture or the changes aging makes. I am not perfect either, but I can try. I need to. I understand need. He caressed her features with his silver gaze. His sweetness on such a big, bold man always melted her down to mush. Thank you, she said soundlessly, again. 71 Cerise DeLand He took a swig of his own drink. Tell me about all five men in that desert meeting who you thought were radicals. Coco began a tale shed rehashed so many times, it was now almost a litany. From their arrival, their attitudes gave them away. The body language. Severe posture. Straight as a rod. And haughty. Above all others. The way they listened to those who were more moderate, debating the values of compromise and then dismissing moderation as a means to attaining anything in government. Their arrogance toward women was appalling, too, by our standards. They ignored our presence. There were three of us. The other two were Egyptian women. None of us spoke, thank god. My Arabic is good, but it could never be taken for Egyptian Arabic or Palestinian or Saudi. Not anything in-country. You know what I mean? I do. He tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. Can you describe to me what the two men who are still at large look like? One was slim, elegant as a giraffe. For brevity, we call him Mr. G. Dark skin. Long beard. She put her hand to her cleavage. Down to here. But trimmed. Severely cut. Wealthy? Definitely. Manicured nails. Buffed recently to a high sheen. She spread her fingers as she remembered their mannerisms. A man used to refinements. Elegant fingers. Delicate touches to cups. Any jewelry? Any birthmarks? Moles? Grant leaned forward. No rings. Nothing distinctive on the face. As for a marks on his body, impossible to tell. They were all wearing long white robes. Even their shoes were the same. Black leather. Polished to an inch of their lives. Wingtips. And the second man? What was his appearance? Shorter. Five ten, maybe. Blue eyes. Round face. Overweight. Mr. C. for chubby. She stuck her hands out, as if hers were the ones shed glimpsed long ago on a strange man. Fat fingers, blunt. A silver ring with a vine carved in the center. Thick band. Left hand. Pinkie finger. A mole on his left cheek, smack dab in the middle. 72 Carried Away And you have seen pictures of men whom they suspect is this man? Only two possibles. Both suspects live in Naples up in the hills near Pompeii. No one is certain if either could be Mr. C. Especially me. She searched her memory. Both suspects are very reclusive and the photos I have seen are blurry, all of them derivatives from low-res mass-market video cameras. Because of that face recognition software has not been helpful here, either. So I have never been able to declare either man is Mr. C. Langley is not happy. At the meeting in the desert, did C. speak? Say anything you can