To Trap A Temptress (Southern Sanctuary - Book 2) (14 page)

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Drum’s
head thumped back on the pillow as he gasped for breath.  Maat, what a
perfect way to wake up to the day and what a woman!  He managed to turn
his head and smile at Nell as she collapsed on the pillow next to him. 

“Thank
you seems kind of inadequate.”

She
laughed, staring at the ceiling, trying to catch her own breath, her cheeks
flushed becomingly with colour.  “You’ll owe me.”

“And
I’ll make sure you collect.”  He added valiantly even though he felt so
boneless at the moment he doubted he could fight off a little old lady let
alone prove his desire for Nell.  Not to the depth and breadth that she
deserved and rather than attempt a half-assed counter attack he decided to
allow himself some time to gather his reserves before showing her his appreciation. 
For the moment he was just content to lie next to her and just… be. 

When
was the last time he’d savoured the afterglow with a woman?  Either he had
somewhere to be or they did.  But Maat with Nell the entire game had
changed.  He was aware of every breath she took, attuned to every sound
she made.  Like right now for instance he was aware that she was sated and
content with the world at large, though she still had small niggly doubts about
something… him?... them?

“We
don’t have to work everything out right this second Doc.”

“Everything?”

“You,
me... us, how we’re going to work.  We don’t have to know all the answers
right at this moment for us to work.”

“You’re
reading my mind now?”  She smiled, continuing to stare at the ceiling.

Maat
she had a lovely profile.  “Not your mind exactly… more like you’re
broadcasting your emotions.  It wasn’t a huge leap to guess that the topic
would be us.” He reached over, placing a reassuring hand on her slim hip,
enjoying the feel of her soft delicate skin under his touch.  “What
planned activity have you signed us up for today?”

Nell
made a small protesting moan.  “Goddess, we’re supposed to be playing
beach volleyball later this morning and parasailing after lunch.”

“How
would you feel about a counter proposal?”  He slid his hand up under the
sheet to cup one of her beautiful breasts.

Nell
turned her head to look at him.  “What did you have in mind?”

“We
play hooky for the day, just the two of us hanging out by our own private
pool.”

“What
about food?” 

“Room
service is just a dial tone away.”

“That
sounds very decadent.”  She mulled over the idea.  “I suppose the
only real commitment for the day is tonight’s sunset cruise final dinner. 
Okay sure, a day to ourselves sounds like a smart idea considering my track
record for group activities.”

Drum
leaned over placing a soft hot kiss on her collarbone.  “I can think of
plenty of activities to keep you busy.”

Nell
shook her head, a smile on her lips.  “No way.”  She ducked as he
moved in closer.  “I’m starving and in desperate need of a shower.”

“I
could go for a shower.”

Nell
laughed.  “Please, if you join me I’ll come out dirtier than when I went
in.”  She tossed the sheet over his head and slithered off the bed, making
a mad dash for the open bathroom. 

Drum
let her escape.  She wasn’t going far.   For Maat’s sake if he
sat up and looked over the backboard of the bed he’d have his own private
viewing of ‘when sexy Doctor’s take a shower.’  Smiling, accepting that he
really was that essentially male and juvenile when it came to Nell he sat up
and turned to watch the show. 

Maat
she had the sexiest back ever and those curvy little buns of hers. 
Watching the rivulets of water running down her trim frame resulted in an
avalanche of salacious thoughts.  Hmmm, there were a couple of things he’d
wanted to do to… with the Doc last night that they just hadn’t found the time
for.  Maybe… he smiled at her as she turned in the shower to find him
watching her, then his gaze dropped and so did his stomach. Oh fuck, he was in
so much trouble. 

Nell
read the change in his expression. “What?  What’s wrong?”  She looked
down trying to work out what had made the colour drain from Drum’s face. 
She had all her fingers and toes as far as she could tell, just what was his
problem?

“Geez
Doc, I am so sorry… I had no idea… I… Maat.”  He got to his feet, dragging
the twisted sheet with him as he took three fast steps into the bathing
area. 

“What…?” 
Nell‘s breath froze in her throat as she caught sight of her own reflection in
the full length mirror next to the sink.  “What?  How?”  She
swung sending a fierce glare Drum’s way.  “I’m a Doctor, I can’t have a
tattoo!”  She took several steps closer to the mirror, her focus on the
long thin glistening blue-silver scales of the black snake that wrapped itself
around her waist.  It’s tail dipping just below her navel, its head
resting on the inner curve of her left breast.  Grabbing a towel she
wrapped it around herself, ignoring her dripping wet hair she abruptly turned
to face him. “Did you… How come…”  She couldn’t help but part the towel
slightly for one more look.  It really was there.

“Deep
breaths Doc.”   Drum prudently kept his distance. 

“You’re
right.”  She took two deep breaths, then another two for good
measure.  “I’m going to need all my faculties when I bludgeon you to
death.”

“Now
Nell, don’t overreact.”

“Overreact! 
I wake up with a magical snake tattooed to my hide, with no idea how it got
there or how I’m going to get rid of it.”  She jumped on the spot. 
“Ouch!”

“What
happened?” 

Nell’s
eyes were huge.  “I think it just whipped me with its tail.”

Drum’s
shoulders relaxed.  “Oh you’ll get used to that.”

“I
don’t want to get used to it.  How am I going to explain this to my
patients?”

A
scowl settled on Drum’s face.  “How would they even know about it?”

“Because
most of them are related to me and my family always just knows… things. 
Goddess knows what rumours will start flying around.”

“Just
think of it as another shovel of dirt on the coffin of your good girl
reputation.”

“Not
funny.  Why would you give me your tattoo for Goddess sake?”  
She tightened the towel trying not to think about what it now hid.

“I
didn’t give you my tattoo.”

“I
beg to differ and no I’m not flashing you just to prove a point.”

“That’s
not what I was getting at.  If you’ll take a few more of those deep
breaths and calm down for a second you’ll see that I still have my tattoo.”

“You…” 
Her eyes narrowed, finally noticing what her brain had been too busy to
compute.  Drum’s tattoo was still clinging to the canvas of his skin, its
head resting against the side of his throat, its eyes seeming to study her with
more than just avid interest. 

“That’s
impossible.”  She stalked over to him, sending droplets of water flying
from the ends of her hair.  “Turn around.”

He
followed her instructions turning a slow circle before facing her once
more.  “Well?”

“It’s
there all right but it’s shorter and narrower than yesterday, like it’s shrunk…
or split off part of itself.”  Nell’s blue eyes met his.  “You really
didn’t know this was going to happen?”

“Maat
no.  Before you the thing was practically dormant, then you come along and
wham it’s got a mind of its own.  And…”  He reached over to push the
edge of her towel down slightly so he could see the snake’s head that nestled
snugly along the inner curve of her breast.  It was a smaller, thinner
version of his own tattoo, the only other obvious difference was its eyes, they
were blue, just like Nell’s. “It has your eyes.”

Nell
looked down for confirmation before looking up at Drum.  “What does it
mean?  You said Maat gave you the tattoo.  Has she marked me as well
and if so why?”

Drum
pushed back a few locks of her wet hair, his fingers coming to rest on her
narrow collarbone.  “I don’t think Maat has anything to do with this
happening.  I think it’s between you and me.  I’m sorry it upset
you.” 

Nell
huffed out a sigh.  “I’m sorry I overreacted… it was just such a shock.
It’s not like it’s hurting anything… I would still like some answers
though.  Hey maybe I could run some tests.”  She jumped again rubbing
the towel over her tummy.  “Ow, that stings.”

“You
probably don’t want to piss it off too much Doc until we can figure out exactly
what’s going on.”

She
nodded in compliance, when magic was involved she’d learnt long ago that a
degree of Zen calm and a large amount of good humour were required when it came
to dealing with the new and unexplained.
  
Going up on tiptoe she planted a kiss on Drum’s mouth.  “I need to
finish my shower, I still have shampoo in my hair.”

“Fancy
some company?”

“Company
no.”  She gave him a wicked smile, dropping the towel.  “You… yes.”

He
dropped the sheet he’d dragged in with him, kicking it away.  Gathering
her up in his arms he walked them backwards until they were under the forgotten
stream of the shower.  Lowering his head he planted a soft kiss on those
gorgeous pink lips of hers that were too tempting to resist.  They came
apart with a start.

“Did...” 

“The
snakes just kiss?”  He finished for her, noting the new position of his
tattoo, mirroring almost the exact same spot on his chest as hers now.

“That
felt very… weird.”  She shivered as the feeling of the snake writhing
over... on... in her skin sent shivers of excitement arcing through her.

Drum
grinned salaciously.  “But in a good way right?”

Nell
smiled pulling his head back down to hers.    “In a very good
way.”

Chapter
Fourteen

Nell
was hot and bothered and it had nothing to do with Drum.  She eyed the
nearby pool surrounded with overhanging greenery with a wary look.  The
crystal clear waters looked so cool and inviting yet she found herself frozen
in place on her lounger.  To distract herself she drained the now warm
dregs of orange juice left over from her morning breakfast that the resort
staff had so helpfully set up poolside for them a few hours ago. 

“Problem
Doc?”

She
eyed Drum stretched out on the lounger next to her own wearing a pair of hip
hugging dark red swim shorts.  He was relaxed and happy under the heated
rays of the sun, not even breaking a sweat.  In comparison she felt like a
limp overcooked mess in her new black bikini, that she was sure hadn’t been
this brief in the shop when she’d purchased it.  “No, I’m good.”

“What
about a swim?”  He rose to his feet with that lithe grace that was so
incongruent with his size.

“Maybe
later.” 
 
She closed her
eyes, feigning a restful pose that she really wasn’t feeling with that much
water so close.  Okay so after the incident at the stream that within a
blink of an eye became a raging river yesterday and nearly drowning in the
ocean the day before she had the tiniest, hardly worth mentioning beginnings of
a water phobia. 

“You
look hot.” 

She
didn’t open her eyes, even when she sensed him standing directly over
her.  “I’ll move into the shade.” Nell let out a small shriek of
alarm.
 
“What are you doing?”  Her
fists beating ineffectually at his chest.  “Put me down!”

“We’re
going for a swim.”  Drum moved towards the pool.  Logically she knew
struggling would be futile but that didn’t stop her from trying to squirm out
of Drum’s hold.  “Hey calm down.”  He tightened his hold.  “I’m
right here with you.  I promise I won’t let you go.”

Nell
squeezed her eyes tightly shut forcing herself to calm down and stay still.
“Promise?” 
 
She visibly
flinched as water lapped at her feet and legs as Drum took them down the three
steps leading into the shallow end of the pool.  Ahh the water was so
refreshing, she didn’t protest when Drum sat down on the last step, settling
her on his lap.  The water lapping at the bottom of her bikini top.

“That’s
quite a death hold you have there on my neck Doc. You want to loosen it up a
little?”

“You’re
an elite warrior, you’re fine… just give me a minute.”

He
swallowed a laugh.  “Okay, how about opening your eyes?”

Nell
kept her eyes firmly closed.  “What don’t you understand about the concept
of needing a minute?”

He
didn’t bother to swallow his laughter this time.  Maat she was wonderful,
feisty and beautiful even as she struggled to face her fears and conquer
them.  With nothing else to distract him Drum took the opportunity to
study Nell’s snake tattoo, the hauntingly familiar blue eyes of the snake
contemplated him right back.  Reaching over he trailed a wet finger across
the bridge of the reptile’s head.  It writhed and wriggled under his
touch, exactly like his tattoo reacted to Nell’s touch. 

The
Doc gasped and opened her eyes immediately, staring at him with both shock and
high colour flooding her cheeks.
 
“What did you just
do?”

He
shrugged.  “Just getting to know your tattoo.”

Nell
squirmed in his hold looking uncomfortable.  “Well don’t.”  Without
thinking she pushed off of his lap moving through the water to create some much
needed distance away from him. 

“Problem?”

“No.” 
Nell began to tread water, doing her best to look like she didn’t have a care
in the world.
 

“It
feels weird doesn’t it, when it moves across your skin like that… but a good
weird don’t you think?”  Drum pushed off the step, keeping low in the
water, hardly making a ripple as he moved towards her.  Reminding her all
too vividly of an alligator stalking its prey through the water.  When he
was close to her he submerged, circling her underwater, a large hand brushing
along her calf, up her thigh to skim over her tummy and come to rest around her
waist.  “Well?”  Breaking the surface he murmured the question
directly into her ear.

Nell
gasped in surprise, finding herself plastered against Drum, his arm wrapped
iron tight around her waist.  “Well what?”  Goddess the man was
distracting on so many levels.

“The
feeling… when the snake reacts to my touch… it’s a good feeling isn’t
it?”  He breathed the words directly into her ear. 

“Yes.” 
She admitted the word reluctantly.  Goddess was she going to get turned on
every time her tattoo came into contact with Drum?  “Hold on.”  Her
scientific nature managed to dissipate the wave of lust that was clouding her
mind.  “Are you telling me that… you… I mean when I’ve touched your tattoo
in the past are you saying….?” 

“That
it gets me hot?”  He grinned devilishly.  “Oh yeah Doc.” 

“So
are the tattoos sentient or are they a manifestation of our psyches?”

“Translation
Doc, no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Does
your tattoo have a mind of its own or is it just an extension of your talents,
thoughts, emotions channelled into a… I think you referred to it once as
another tool in your arsenal?”

“Hmmm.” 
Drum sent her a heavy lidded dark look full of promise and intent.  “Sounds
like we need to run some tests Doc…. lots.”  He nuzzled the sensitive skin
along the side of her jaw. “And lots.”  Moving his lips to her ear, biting
down gently on her earlobe.  “Of tests.”

Nell
closed her eyes, arching into his touch with a smile on her lips, anything for
science.

*
                            
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A
few hours and several dips in the pool later Nell found herself perusing the
room service menu trying to decide what to order for lunch.  Decision made
she was just about to hand over the menu to Drum when his mobile rang, making
her jump.  She’d become so relaxed she’d forgotten the outside world
existed for a moment.  But of course Drum had commitments, people
depending and waiting upon his return.  With him right next to her it
wasn’t like she had any alternative but to eavesdrop on his side of the
conversation.

“Marcus…
You’ve confirmed it’s her?................ I could…. Okay… yes…. yes that does
sound logical…… Have you spoken to Vaughn?.......... Okay right….. You’ll call
me with any updates….. Sure……Yes…… Twenty-four hours give or take….. Thanks.”

“Everything
okay?”  She enquired as he completed the call.

“They’ve
found Serena.”  Drum looked thoughtful.

“Oh.” 
Nell felt her stomach dive bomb, disappointment flooding through her. 
“That’s…. well that’s great news.  So you have to go then.  I’ll be
fine by myself, I promise to stick close to Julie and Grant on the cruise
tonight and I’ll check out right after breakfast tomorrow.”

Drum’s
eyes narrowed. “What…? I’m not leaving.”

Nell
couldn’t seem to stop herself from babbling.  Of course he had to
go.  He and his team had been searching for Serena for months.  She
needed her shoes, where had she put them?  And a wrap, she’d need a wrap
to escort him to the supply closet in the resort main building and set the
transporter for Atlanta.  She’d visited Hadleigh’s temporary room at Maat
Towers once several months ago, that knowledge would allow her to send Drum
there.

“Nell…
Nell!”

“What?” 
She looked up abruptly, frozen in the act of slipping on her sandals.

“Did
you hear me?  I said I’m not leaving.”

“But
you said they’ve found her, it’s the break you’ve been waiting for.” 

“Marcus
has tracked her electronically to a small maximum security psychiatric hospital
in Mid-West Texas.”

“Oh
Drum you need to get her out, those types of facilities can be brutal.”

“Preaching
to the choir Doc but the boys need to run recon first.
 
Flynn and Dash will do a series of fly overs
for the next two days.  See if they can catch a glimpse of her or at the
very least map out who works there and lock down schedules and staff
movements.”  Drum picked up the dropped room service menu.

“What
are you doing?”

“Trying
to decide what to have for lunch.”

“But
what about Serena and the recon?  Don’t you need to go… be part of it?”

Drum
closed the menu with a snap, sitting up he turned to face Nell.  “Three
days ago the team would have had to beat me off with a two by four for
suggesting they conduct recon without me.  But now…”  Drum
shrugged.  “Realistically there’s nothing I can contribute for the next
twenty four hours.  I’m not a computer whiz like Marcus, I can’t fly like
the twins, Nate will set up at the local bar and schmooze the locals for info…
I don’t do schmooze if you were wondering.  And Rafe will be running
diagnostics on the hospital floor plans to determine the stealthiest way to
infiltrate and snatch Serena.  I can do stealthy under duress but my
specialty is more smash grab and destroy.  Which means the best place for
me is here… out of their hair and watching over you.”

Nell
couldn’t help the small wince at his last statement, nice to be defined as a
burden.

“Hey.” 
Drum reached across the short distance separating them, grabbing one of her
hands.  “I’m not saying you aren’t capable of looking after yourself
Doc.  But whatever… whoever has made a grab for you over the last two days
seems driven and determined, worse, water provides them with an upper
hand.  This location… this whole reunion has provided the perfect scenario
for their plans.  I don’t think they’ll give up now with their end game in
sight.”

“Are
you saying…”  Nell’s eyes were drawn automatically to the still surface of
the small private swimming pool.  “That whoever is after me will try
again?”  She swallowed hard.

“Yeah,
every instinct I have is screaming that this thing isn’t over.”

“Then
we should leave now.”  She urged, frightened at the thought of another
confrontation with the water monster… not for herself but for Drum she
realised.  The thought of him hurt or injured, even if he did have Goddess
given recovery powers physically pained her.

Drum
shook his head.  “If we leave with this situation unresolved how do we
know they won’t follow you home to finish what they started?  Or bide
their time for another ten years?  We don’t know who and we don’t know
why.  Wouldn’t you like to know Doc?”

“Not
if it means you getting hurt... no.”

“Little
faith please, I have been doing this for over a century.”

“I’m
sorry but like you said it’s in its element here.”

“And
that will be our main tactic, get who... whatever this thing is… out of their
element and into mine.”

“You
make it sound so simple.”

Drum
dropped her hand and picked up the room service menu once more flipping it
open.  “I’m just a simple He-man remember, you said it yourself.”

Nell
studied his lowered head.  Drum simple?  Yeah right how wrong could a
girl be?  He surprised and challenged her at every turn.  Goddess
help her she was falling hard and fast for this man.  She prayed nothing
bad would happen to him, she didn’t think she could bear it. 

“Are
you sure you wouldn’t rather be in Texas helping your team?”

“Hmmm?” 
Drum looked up for a moment.  “Nah.”  He sent her a smile.  “I’m
good.” 

And
he was he realised as he went back to humming and hawing between the surf and
turf plate or the seafood platter for one.  His team were professionals
and all knew and excelled at their jobs.  If he went he would be achieving
nothing more than hovering over them and quite possibly getting in the way and
slowing them down. 

Wow,
so this was perspective… he kind of liked it.  The person who needed him
the most right now was Nell.  His skill set was best utilised here and now
on this island with her.  She was his number one priority but if one of
his teammate’s expertise would have been a better match to the threat he would
have had no compunction stepping aside and letting one of them take the
lead.  Anything to keep Nell safe. 

He
bit back a laugh, if only his friend and superior officer Vaughn could see him
now.  He’d be ribbed beyond belief about his personal growth. 
Snapping the menu shut he gave Nell another warm smile.  “In fact I’m
perfect.”