Polar Opposites (In Aeternum Book 4) (5 page)

“Thank you, Captain.”

He gave her a nod before responding to another’s question. Bailey walked out and drew up when she found herself before the XO. He gave her a nod and she responded in kind.

“I appreciate you sharing your stateroom, Commander.”

His smile was brief. “Orders are orders.”

“Yes, sir. Please don’t let us being there change your schedule. We can always hang out in the mess if you need your room.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She sidestepped so he could move by her. “Thanks again.”

“No problem.” The XO walked away and she continued toward the mess. At the last moment, she adjusted her direction and went to the stateroom.

Ivan slept, the dark circles beneath his eyes telling her his experience had been more than he would admit. His blond hair tempted her to touch and the scruff along his jaw, she longed to nuzzle. Shaking off her increasing desire for him, she turned away. Allowing him to remain asleep, she drew on the poopy suit that had been left for her. It was a bit baggy, but with her clothes underneath it wasn’t too horrible. She went to the enlisted mess and the room fell silent as she entered.

She glanced around before heading to grab a cup of what they affectionately referred to as ‘bug juice’ and drank it swiftly before getting herself some coffee. She took a seat off to the side. A couple of men raked their gazes over her and sent smug grins in her direction.

A combination of unoffended and unimpressed, she returned her attention to the cup in her hand. Although she expected the company when it arrived, she bit back her sigh of annoyance.

“What’s a beautiful lady like you doing in a place like this?”

She leaned back in her chair, her fingers sprawled around the warmth seeping through her cup, and lifted her eyes to meet the sparkling green ones waiting for her. “How long have you been waiting to use that line?”

“Since I left port.”

His smile showed youthful innocence and she shook her head in amusement. “First deployment?”

“Yes.”

She had figured as much. Green. Cocky. He scooted his chair in a bit closer and she, well aware of the eyes watching them, waited to see what his move would be. After clearing his throat, he took a drink.

“Are you on board long?”

“Nope. Just catching a ride.”

“So we’ll be in port together.”

She leaned closer to him. “I’ll be gone by the time you are off the boat. You’ll find someone when you get off.” Bailey drained her coffee and stood. “Thanks for the company, sailor.” With a small nod, she walked off, slipping away back to the stateroom.

She knocked lightly before pushing the door open. Ivan still slept and she observed him for a moment, taking in his rugged handsomeness. Who knew doctors were so sexy? She walked to the rack and reached out to shake him.

“Wake up, Doctor.”

He rolled toward her and she fell prey to the intoxication of his gaze. That clear, pure glacial blue.

“How long have I been asleep?”

Christ, even his voice, deep and rasped, sent a tingle to her clit and nipples. She checked her watch. “A few hours.”

“How long will we be on this thing?”

She watched his expression carefully. “Do you fear small spaces?”

“Fear? I wouldn’t go so far as to say that. Not a fan, but not fearful.”

Bailey held his stare for fifteen seconds before she glanced about them. “You’ll be fine then. The time will pass swiftly and you’ll be out of the tube.”

He got up then stepped closer to her, his scent surrounding her and creating a purely physical reaction in her body. She swallowed back the moan threatening to escape. He was lethal to her.

“So what is there for us to do on here?”

“Nothing. We stay out of their way. When the XO wants his stateroom, we give it to him, even if it means sitting for a while in the mess.”

His grin was brief but slightly possessive. “I’m all yours to do with as you see fit.”

“Nothing will happen between us, Doctor. That was an anomaly, you know, an odd—”

“I know what an anomaly is, Bailey.” He reached out and dragged his knuckles along her jaw line, eyes full of a blend of tenderness and determination.

Tiny sparks of desire lit her skin where he touched.

“I also know what was between us. If you want to call that an anomaly, then it’s only because of the amount of passion between us. The connection. I
felt
you within me and that’s never happened with anyone else before.”

Hasn’t happened with me before either.
She ensured her expression remained bland. “Was is your key word. I came to rescue you. Nothing more. As soon as you’re off this sub, I’m gone.”

“Why?”

Bailey blinked up at the towering Russian who had invaded more than just her personal space. He’d left his imprint on her. “Why?” Her mind wasn’t cooperating.

“That’s what I asked. Why does this have to end once we land?” Another stroke of his fingers. “We have something unique and special, Bailey. You can’t deny it.”

Oh, yes she could. And would. Ignoring her body’s determination that she give in to his lure, she ducked away from him and said, “I have to make a call. I’ll see you later.” She strode off and refused to glance back, even once.

Chapter Four

“Dr Vinokourov!”

Ivan drew up short at the sound of his name. Squinting through the thick fog that surrounded the wharf, he frowned when the shape materialized into the figure of the man who’d shown up at Christmas Island. Kevin McNeal.

The morning was cold and the clanging of buoys sent further chills through him. Ivan peered back over his shoulder to the black shadow along the pier. The submarine was impressive, no denying it. No sign of Bailey, though. She’d vanished when word had come down the pipe they were going to be docking soon. He hadn’t seen her. Anywhere.

He waited until McNeal stopped beside him. “You know, last time I saw you I was kidnapped soon after.”

“I am sorry about that but it was out of my hands.”

“Where’s Bailey?”

McNeal rocked back on his heels. “Gone, I suspect. Woman rarely sticks around once her job is done.”

Ivan didn’t like that. He wanted to see her. Hold her. Kiss her.
Get a grip and stop crying after her like a bitch.
His mental pep talk wasn’t appreciated in any way.

“How do I get in touch with her?”

McNeal barely blinked. “You don’t. Let’s go. I have a car waiting.”

“So, what, because you sent her to get me you think I’ll join your little group?” They began walking up the long quay.

“I had no such thoughts. What exactly do you think our ‘little’ group does, Doctor?”

What he wouldn’t give for a comfortable bed and a long, hot shower. “I don’t think about it at all.” Why would he? If he did eventually, it all came back to Jaydee and that hurt.

“Perhaps you should.”

Ivan paused at the trunk of the black sedan. “And why is that?”

McNeal gave a slight smile, unlocked the vehicle and said, “Get in.”

Ivan sank into the leather seat and buckled his belt. “Where are we going?”

“I have a hotel room for you. I’d like you to actually agree to hear my offer and not wave me off as you did before. Once you hear it, you can make your decision. Then we’ll go from there.”

“You’re not concerned with what I may have done for the ones who kidnapped me?”

“Bailey said it had all been destroyed.” He didn’t take his eyes off the road.

Ivan tipped his head to look at the man driving. “She did?” He stared back out of the windshield and watched the way the headlights split the fog. Hell, he didn’t even know where he was. They passed a guardhouse and continued.

“She did.” Kevin’s comment came after a few moments of quiet.

Ivan got it—this man wasn’t a chatty person. They finished the drive in silence. He allowed the heat to sink in and banish the chill the dampness along the pier had created inside him. Not a single other vehicle on the road gave him a clue as to where he was.

Kevin pulled into the parking lot of a hotel and whipped into an empty spot. The two men climbed out and headed to the front of the building. Ivan followed him to the elevators and up to the fifth floor.

At room five twenty-four, Kevin unlocked the door and pushed it open before handing the key card to Ivan. “There are some clothes in there that will fit you. I’ll be down at the bar once you get settled.”

The man left without another word. Ivan watched him until he stepped into the elevator. Ivan locked the door behind him even as he took in the comfort before him. A very nice hotel room. A burgundy bedspread covered a king-sized bed full of pillows. Lying upon that were three suits and some other clothes, jeans and such.

Ivan picked through until he got what he wished to wear then he went to the bathroom and turned on the water. Staring at his clothing, he sneered as he removed them. They stank. He stank. Sure, there had been a shower on the sub but he’d needed longer than a quick one to get rid of the smells.

He stepped under the hot water and groaned in pleasure. Bracing his hands on the tile, he dipped his head, allowing the raining drops to cascade over him. He stayed that way until his tense muscles began to relax. Then he reached for the washcloth and lathered it up.

I wish I could have Bailey in a shower like this. I’d love to bend her over and take her in here. Or press her up against the tile wall and fuck her until neither of us can stand any longer.

His cock twitched and he didn’t even fight the need, just curled his fingers around himself. The soap on his hand allowed him to glide with ease up and down his penis. He pinched the head of his cock then began stroking. Alternating the pressure and speed, he built up his need until he was ready to shoot his load. Eyes squeezed shut, he envisioned the woman who’d come to save his life and who’d given him the best sex he’d ever experienced. Bailey.

Ivan came with a low, keening shout. Thick ropes of his cum shot from his throbbing cock and landed on the wall in front of him. He continued jacking himself until none more came. Legs weak, he muttered a curse before cleaning up and getting out of the water.

Within ten minutes, he stood in the elevator and pressed the button for the lobby. Alone in the lift, he leaned against the wall and shoved his hands in the pockets of the jeans he had opted to wear.

He walked through the lobby and found the bar. Once in there, it didn’t take him long to find Kevin. The man sat at a booth near the back. Ivan nodded at a waitress and made his way to sit opposite Kevin.

“I’m here. What’s your spiel?”

“Drink?”

A waitress—the same one he’d nodded at when he walked in—stood at the table. She bent over, showing him her cleavage as she placed a bowl of chips and some salsa between them.

“Beer. A lager. Whatever you have on tap is fine.”

“Coming right up, handsome.” She smiled and walked off, an extra swing in her hips.

Ivan popped a chip in his mouth and waited. Kevin swirled the liquid in his glass. “Theta Corps is a group that operates to keep the country, and the world, safe from danger.”

He ate another chip and fought off a yawn. That king-sized bed had sure looked inviting.

“We do things others can’t because of red tape. We have a research department that I want you to work with. Your knowledge, as I said before, of electrogravitics would be invaluable to us. We need to provide our field agents with the best equipment. The newest tech. They’re often in situations where they have no backup and no sure way out.”

Ivan smiled at the server when she returned with his drink. Once she’d left, he took a sip. “And you want my knowledge?”

“Yes. The pay is astronomical. You wouldn’t be in danger. The lab we’d provide to you would be state of the art. You can staff it how you want, if you decide you’d like other people to work with you other than the ones we already have. You need different equipment, ask and it will be provided for you.” Kevin leaned forward. “You’ve heard the expression ‘we’ll spare no expense’, I’m sure, Doctor. That’s what I’m promising you. It would be your lab and you’d have carte blanche on what to put in it.”

So sue him, he was beyond intrigued. “Why me?”

“I told you. I’ve heard about you from Valentino Cassano. Your name was second on the list behind a Dr Thompson, and tied with Jaydee Cassano.”

“And what did Jaydee say?”

“We came to you first. She’s a mother of triplets. We didn’t feel she would have the time to devote to projects.”

He leaned back and drummed his fingers on the table. “So Valentino told you to stay away from her.”

Kevin shrugged.

Ivan contained his laughter. He knew those brothers and how closely they looked after one another’s wives. “What’s in it for me? I mean, why would I want to work for you instead of, say, who I was with before?”

“Because we’re the good guys.”

“I’m sure they think they are as well.”

“They are out to destroy the world and create their own haven of chaos.”

“I’m sure they’d say the same about you.”

Kevin scowled. “What did they tell you to make?”

“Devices to drop bombs. Ones like jet packs to carry their men.”

“See?”

“See what? They were honest. Can you promise me what I create or make won’t be used to do similar things?”

His companion narrowed his eyes. “See, I’m a scientist, Mr McNeal. I know the stigma—geeky, nerdy, whatever—but never assume I’m stupid when it comes to how things work.”

“I know what your IQ is, Doctor, and I wouldn’t ever deem to call you stupid or assume you were lacking in mental capacity.”

“Omitting the truth is still a lie. If I were to do this, I would want to know the exact application it would be used for. No matter what I worked on.”

“Okay, I can see that happens.”

“Where would I have to go?”

“We have divisions all over the world. Where do you want to go?”

“Russia?”

Kevin finished his drink. “We have one in Moscow and one in Vladivostok.”

“Vladivostok.”

“It can be arranged.”

“I haven’t said yes, yet.”