Intensity (10 page)

The way he said that had her toes curling into the
thick grass beneath her feet. Goosebumps broke out on her skin, and
she tried to focus back on her food. They ate and he played a few
more games.

Arm in arm, they finally walked back to their villa.
“Are you sure you’re okay? You didn’t play any of the games.”

She rested her head on his strong arm as they
walked. “I’m fine. I don’t play a lot of games with people I don’t
know. Unless I have to. I prefer to hang back and observe.”

“You were like that as a kid, weren’t you?”

“I was. Mama pushed me to play sports, but I would
have preferred to watch.”

“Isn’t that odd given how active you are now?”

She shrugged. “I don’t think so. I love to run and
swim. I’m more of a solo sport person, if I’m doing it. I reserve
my trust for the team that means the most to me. Not a sports team.
The ones I depend on to have my back.”

“I can understand that.”

He opened the door and allowed her to enter first.
She peered over her shoulder as the door clicked behind him. He
dropped his shirt from his shoulder to the floor and backed her
against the wall, his hands on either side of her head, blocking
her in.

She pushed up on her toes to meet him, sliding her
hands along his waist and pushing her fingertips down below his
jeans. His lips covered hers, and a slow moan slipped from her to
him. This was what she wanted. Craved. Him and nothing else.

αβ

Grey trailed his fingers along the satin smooth skin
of her back. He lay beside her on the bed, one hand propping up his
head as he continued feeding his tactile indulgence. She had her
arms folded beneath her head as they lay there diagonally, neither
in a rush to move anywhere else. Sarah had one article of clothing
on, a pair of white cotton panties. Simple and yet perfect for the
woman in them.

The warm golden light streamed in the windows and
shone on them both. He stared at her face. Royal cheekbones, full
plump lips thick curved lashes.

Beautiful.

On her back there were a few scars, and he frowned
as he continued to run over one repeatedly.

“Frag.”

“What?”

She opened her eyes and watched him. “The scar
you’ve fixated on was from a frag.”

He clenched his jaw. “When did it happen?”

She shifted, her body a sinewy ripple of elegance.
“Let’s see, we were in India doing—anyway—I caught some as we were
retreating.”

“And this one?” He dipped his head and kissed the
mark on the underside of her toned arm.

“Knife from a Serbian rebel.”

“You’re so calm when you mention them.”

“I’m sure yours are the same way.”

Perhaps, but it was different. He put his arm around
her, bringing her closer to him before wrapping her in his embrace,
her breasts flattened against his bare chest.

“When did you decide you wanted to be a Marine?”

“Don’t right know when; I just always had. Chase
said I’d make a damn fine Marine. So, that’s the way I went.”

“Chase Ellery, right?” He didn’t like the way her
voice gentled when she spoke that man’s name. Chase had grown up
next to her. And, as far as Grey knew, they were still close.

“That’s him.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Isn’t he married, now?”

“Yes. With a child. Why?”

He unclenched his jaw. “Just curious.”

He moved slightly, and she waited for him to settle
before she burrowed closer once more. Grey increased his hold,
loving how she never seemed to mind how tightly he held her, not to
mention how she reciprocated it to him.

Understanding the woman he married was complex; he
hoped this time together would be the start they needed.

“Does Chase know about you being in Recon?”

Grey found himself nearly holding his breath as he
waited for her answer. Receiving a negative meant more than he
cared to think about.

“Maybe.”

He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to rein in the red
haze and green-eyed monster. She hadn’t told him, but
Chase
might know. “I see.”

Tension snapped through her like a parachute opening
to slow a descent. He had to veer her away or another fight was
imminent. So, he swallowed his own jealousy and tried to be the
understanding man he was far from being.

“Who brought you into Recon?”

“Admiral Davies.” Her body slowly relaxed.

“How did that come about?”

Her lips moved along his skin. “I met him as a
plebe, and he took an interest in me. Contacted me after I
graduated from Annapolis.”

“You like him.”

“Of course. But, more than that, I respect him. He
did five tours in SOG.”

She left the bed and padded to the dresser where,
earlier, he’d had her bent over, fistful of her black ringlets
tight in one hand as he slammed into her hot pussy, her cries
echoing off the walls.

He rose and went behind her, swiping their drinks
before heading to the hammock. Drinks on the table, he climbed in
and beckoned her closer. She straddled him, breasts bare to his
gaze. Other than scars, the only marking on her was the anchor and
globe tattoo on the inside of her wrist. He took drink and grabbed
an ice cube before he circled her nipple with it. She jerked and
turned passionate eyes to him.

“I’ve heard of SOG.” He trailed the ice around her
other nipple, drawing out a whimper. “They were Studies and
Observations Group during the Vietnam war. More secretive than the
frogmen.” He put the cube in his mouth.

“He was at…at the forefront of that. And he wanted a
group similar but wanted a woman in it.”

Grey chewed the cube as he reached out to palm her
breast, toying with the tip. She arched farther into his touch, her
teeth sinking into her plump lower lip.

“So, you volunteered.”

She rocked on his length, splaying her hands over
his chest. “No, he asked. I…I said yes.” Her tremors in her vocals
confirmed his knowledge of her increasing distraction.

Not much difference in his mind. “Why?”

She stole an ice cube from his cup. “You’ve already
asked me that.”

It was his turn to tense as she circled his nipples
with it. Only she followed it with long laps of her tongue. The
heat and the cold combined, and he groaned. She didn’t break until
the ice had melted.

God, to have that on my dick.

She kissed up his body until their lips melded
together. His fingers were moving below her panty line when she
nipped his lower lips and stared at him.

“You asked me a lot of questions. Let me ask you
one. Why did you become a SEAL?”

He cupped the nape of her neck and drew her back to
lie against him. Sex could wait. Between them, passion hadn’t been
the issue. “Always was my plan. From the moment I talked to the
recruiter.”

“Why SEAL? Why not Ranger, Delta, or, I don’t know,
Recon?”

“It’s the movie thing. They were always the
best.”

She grunted, and he was pretty sure she muttered
something unflattering about the Navy.

“So, when I left Cottonwood Falls at eighteen, I
went to Annapolis, as well, played football and had my sights set
on the SEALs, even then. It’s what I wanted more than anything
else.”

“And the guys you work with?”

“I like most of them.”

“Most? Aren’t all of y’all close?”

He frowned, grateful she couldn’t see his
expression. “No. Not really. I trust them at my back, but…”

“There are others you trust over some.”

“Exactly.”

“That can’t be good.”

He shrugged. “It is what it is. Not everyone gets
along.”

“I know that, but the situations you go in, you
should have complete trust in the men at your back.”

“And you trust your group.”

“Without a doubt.” The conviction in her tone echoed
the words.

“It’s only one that I’m not sure about all the time.
He seems to be elsewhere in his mind.”

“Not good when someone should be watching your
six.”

“Nope.”

His phone rang, and he groaned. However, when she
moved, he tightened his hold on her.

“Shouldn’t you be getting that?”

“No.”

“Could be important.”

Not as important as what I’m doing now.
“I’ll
check it later.” The wind picked up, and he asked, “You okay or
getting cold?”

“I’m in Malaysia, it’s gorgeous, and I’m pressed
against you. I’m fine.” She burrowed closer. “In fact, I think I
could easily fall asleep right here.”

“Go right ahead, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”

She fell asleep not much later, and after another
two hours of laying out there, he carefully maneuvered them back
inside and placed her on the bed before covering her with the
sheet. Only then did he go to his phone and check the call he’d
missed.

The man who’d sent him with Recon. He stole another
glance at the sleeping woman and stepped out onto the balcony
surrounding the villa. Down the steps, he could see the trail
leading to the crystal blue waters beyond.

When his call was answered, he said, “Yes, sir?”

“I haven’t talked to you since you went on that
mission with those Recon. How are you?”

“Fine here, sir. Something on your mind?”

“Did you notice anything about their commanding
officer?”

He frowned. “No. Should I have?”

“I’m not sure. There’s something going on there, but
I’m not sure what it is.”

“With all due respect, sir, from what I saw, Cooler
was above reproach. He did his job, as did his unit. Even with me
as the new member thrown into the mix.”

“And, you didn’t find anything off about the others?
What about that Mallery woman?”

Instantly, he bristled, protectiveness racing over
him. “Captain Mallery did her job, as did the rest. Why all the
questions, sir?”

“I want that group disbanded. Part of why I put you
in there. I wanted you to snoop on them, find me something I can
use to bring them down. I have to have proof of something to back
my claim. But, they’re so secret, and Admiral Davies has a lot of
pull.” Anger tinged Fith’s use of the admiral’s name.

“I was sent to spy on them, so you could shut them
down?” A warning skated up his spine, and he whirled around,
expecting to see Sarah there. Nothing. Stepping back to the door,
he peered in and found her where he left her on the bed. “That’s
your reason for putting me there?”

“People get used, Sorenson. It happens. Get over it.
I’m looking for something else to send you along with them.”

Sarah sat up and slid from the bed before padding to
the bathroom and closing the door behind her. She gave him a sleepy
smile as she moved out of sight.

“No,” he said.

“What do you mean no?”

“I’m not going to be your stooge. I won’t help you
shut down this group of dedicated people.”

“I wasn’t asking,” he retorted.

Grey ended the call with a growl. He still remained
by the door when Sarah left the bathroom and walked back to bed
where she climbed in and, again, slipped beneath the blankets.

“Sarah,” he said.

“Hmm?” She uncovered her head and looked down the
length of the bed at him.

“I’m going for a run on the beach. I’ll be back
later.”

“I’ll be here sleeping.”

He nodded and left.
Had she heard him? No, if she
had, she would have confronted me about it, I’m sure.
Even so,
he worried she would be gone when he returned and wanted to go back
early. He didn’t, though, accepting he had to run out the fury
pumping through his veins at the revelation of his role.

The sun had set when he jogged up the steps to the
door. With a deep breath, he opened the door and looked around.
“Sarah?”

Nothing. His heart sank. Fully inside, he closed the
door behind him. “Sarah?”

“I’m out back.” She popped her head in. “Dinner’s
ready whenever you are.” Her eyes were gentle, and the smile she
leveled at him made him think all was fine in his world.

Thank God, she’s still here.

Chapter
Seven

Sarah tucked her jacket tighter around her. That was
the problem with coming home from a warm vacation.
Back to the
reality of winter.
She walked out of the Dulles International
Airport terminal, zeroed in on a taxi, and made her way to the
vehicle after cracking her neck.

Lord, I’m stiff. I could use a good workout.
She instantly flashed to the workouts she and Grey had participated
in, and suddenly, the weather was serving to cool her down. Before
she could reach the taxi, a man stepped into her path.

“Captain Mallery, ma’am? I’m Lieutenant Shothley,
aide to Admiral Davies. He sent me to pick you up.” He spoke
crisply but in a low tone as if he wished to avoid being overheard.
However, still not in a way that would make her question him
mentioning it at all, just like he wasn’t announcing their business
to the world.

She took in the telltale military signs, which were
still present even if the man was in a black suit.

He reached for her bags, and she flexed her fingers
around them without giving them over. “I can take those,
ma’am.”

She relinquished them, and he opened the door for
her to the back of the black town car. She hesitated a moment, met
his gaze as he put her luggage in the trunk then slid over the
leather seat. He shut the door as he went around to the driver’s
side and climbed in behind the wheel.

He pulled smoothly away from the curb and merged
into the traffic. She dug for her phone and texted Shea she was
back stateside. After a moment, she sent one to Grey, as well.

When they deviated from the way she knew to get to
the Pentagon, she sat up a bit more. “Where are you taking me,
Lieutenant?”

He met her gaze in the rearview. “The admiral’s
house, ma’am.”

She stilled, body tensing. They had strict rules
about never meeting at his house. Always keeping things above board
to ensure there were no more whisperings about their relationship,
aside from the usual scuttle.