CHAPTER 6
8-Bit felt the distinguished buzz of his Eveque’s text and turned off Cat’s app, looking. Lucas got a text from the mole. We hunt tomorrow. If he’s there, we will find him. Secure any loose ends. We’ll need all hands in this one.
Fuck.
8-Bit turned his boat around and headed toward said loose end—Cat. He’d hoped the mole was a bluff. Still could be, but if they weren’t, they surely needed to put an end to them. He’d have to warp speed the process so he could get back to what he was more interested in. Closing the Cat deal.
He pulled up her number and hit Go.
“Hello?”
“Hey, it’s 8-Bit. Just checking in.”
She hesitated, then a, “What for?”
What for. “An odd question during wartime.”
He heard muttered flustering, making him curious about her afternoon friend chat. “Sorry, just curious. I was just dropping Jason off at his dad’s. He visits every weekend.”
He pulled out his second phone and located her. “You in a boat?” He eyed the moving green dot on the screen, not hearing anything.
“I am. Headed home.”
Was she in a pirogue? He heard a hum that resembled a small motor. “What are you in?”
“My boat, why?”
“I don’t hear anything.”
“That’s because I’m in my hunting boat with the whisper motor.”
Interesting. “What kind?”
“Motor Guide Xi3. Nothing major. Thirty pounds of thrust does the job. DC.”
Those terms coming from a woman brought a surprise twitch to his cock. “I need to come inspect the integrity of your home security.”
“Now? Why?”
“There’s a mole.”
“Oh shit, where?”
“Somewhere in these swamps.”
“Well…you need help, I’m available.”
He had to wonder over the eagerness. Bored? Wanted to see him? “How’s your brother?”
She sighed long. “A mess. It’s hard to see him like he is and it’s painful to drop my nephew off knowing his visits only confirm nothing he does will ever be good enough to help his daddy. Every weekend he goes over there with new plans and hope and every time I pick him up I get to hear how there’s no difference. How long before Jason starts blaming himself or feeling like he’s the reason he’s not well?”
“I had intended to visit him tonight.”
“Really?”
“Was gonna bring the Seer with me.”
“As in our Seer of the Swamp?”
“Yes. Your brother is technically my brother now and I wanted to check on him.”
“But…I… I didn’t even say yes yet.”
Right. “Well…will you?”
“Will I what?”
“Agree to my proposition.” He’d changed his words at the last moment, not wanting to use the heavy marry term if she was having cold feet.
“Yes,” she said. “I am.”
His muscles released. “Thank you.”
She was quiet a few seconds before giving a mumbled, “You’re welcome.” There was nothing else in her tone but business it seemed. Good.
“Why are you bringing The Seer?”
He dodged a small swarm of lightening bugs. “To help me see the things I can’t.”
“And then?”
“And then I’ll know better how to help him.”
He sure hoped she wasn’t the type to fight over such a thing.
“Well…he can use any help he can get. That’s really nice of you even if it is a duty-bound thing. I mean it’s nice you’re a duty-bound man. Jason will be thrilled.”
“Hmm. You don’t sound so thrilled.”
“It’s not that, it’s…John’s in a spiral. Everything you try to do for him seems to lend speed to that damn spin.”
“You’re saying people trying to help him—”
“I’m saying anytime somebody tries to do anything for him, he seems to be worse off. Like he knows he’s not getting no better and is failing somebody else.”
He checked her status, seeing she was two minutes from home. “Do you think he wants to get better?”
She didn’t answer then took a big breath. “I don’t know anymore, Ethan. I like to believe there’s always a chance for everybody, just have to dig it out. I think he does want to get better but honestly thinks there is no way out of his private hell. But me and everybody I know has been praying a long time that something or somebody would manage to break through. Maybe you’re that person or that something.”
Well fuck. “No pressure, there.”
“Now, don’t say that,” she softly admonished. “Nobody is expecting anything. It’s only me and you and The Seer that knows anyway. Right?”
“And the rest of The Twelve. I inquired about your brother during the meeting and made my plans known.” He held back the part about him not remembering about the wife.
“Well, thems your brothers, though right? They know how these things go.”
Her swamp dialect was funnier in light of how she corrected Jason’s grammar. And how she cared about him feeling pressured. Little bayou gem. “They do.” He heard different sounds in the background and looked at her screen. “Where are you?”
“Stopping at the Muck and Marsh.”
“You have protection?”
“What you mean? Like a gun?”
“Yes.”
“Course I do, I never go anywhere without my twelve-gauge Mossberg and Ruger. Cause I’m always hunting.”
Another cock twitch. “Good. You still shouldn’t be out after dark at this time. Do me a favor. From now on, no more night trips. Do everything in the day.”
She made a couple sputter-huffs then followed with a “Yes sir, Boss man.”
The obnoxious stress she put on boss might be that flaw he was looking for. Which would be a pretty big flaw for their arrangement. He’d need to try those boundaries, see if it was fatal sized.
“Well, I’m gonna need two hands here real soon,” she announced.
“Two hands?”
“Oh, Daniel is still here. Good.”
The ex. “What’s he doing there?”
“He’s stocking. I forgot he did that in the evenings sometimes.”
Daniel just moved himself to the top of his long-ass intel to-do list. “What are you there to get?”
“Extra supplies in case that damn hurricane does what they say,” she huffed and grunted.
8-Bit turned the boat in her direction. “I’m coming to help.”
“What?” she cried. “Why? I’m already here, Daniel’s capable of protecting me.”
“I doubt that, but I’m just coming to help you get supplies,” he said, not wanting to seem like a jealous husband so soon. He was exactly that but didn’t want…wait. Maybe he did. “I need to check him out personally,” he decided.
“Who? Daniel?”
“Every man you spend more than one minute a day with I will surely check out,” he clarified, letting his true colors loose.
“Ethan, that’s a little ridiculous, he’s a co-worker.”
“He doesn’t need to know.” But then again. “Unless I see he needs to know, then I’ll let him know.”
“Let him know what?”
“That you’re off limits.”
“I thought we weren’t blabbing that all over?” she suddenly strained.
“Where’d you get that idea? I said I wouldn’t say anything to Jason till you gave an answer. But all of the swamp will surely know. Did you think I intended to have a secret wife?”
“No!” she shrilled even quieter. “Hey Daniel,” she called. “I’m just here for some supplies. Be right in.”
“What are you worried about?” 8-Bit asked. “Is he the jealous type?”
“I’m not worried about him at all, you are, and I’m trying to tell you there’s nothing and I mean nothing to worry about.”
“Women tend to miss things that other men see. And being as uninterested as you are in him, you wouldn’t notice the signs, I’m sure.”
She carried on with every manner of spitter-sputtering as he opened up his engine more.
“I’m five minutes away. Wait inside for me.”
She gave a huge huff and, “Fine, boss man.”
She hung up and he looked at his phone for two seconds and dialed her back.
“Now what?” she answered.
“You hung up.”
“Because we were done, I thought.”
“You thought wrong. I want you on the phone till I get there.”
“Are you…” More huffy noises. “If you plan to be up my ass like this, I’ll need a head piece for the phone so I can actually get a damn thing done.”
He grinned at that one. He didn’t like pushing these particular boundaries and yet kind of did. “Are you inside yet?”
“No, I’m outside, talking to you still.”
“I want you inside.”
“Then he’ll want to talk!”
“And he doesn’t know how to let people have a phone conversation?”
“It’s rude, Ethan,” she strained.
Hmm. He liked when she used his real name. “Two minutes away now.”
“Good, I’ll stay on the pier till you get here. Is that okay?”
“Yes.”
“Well, thank you, sir.”
“Cat, if we’re going to be in this arrangement, you do realize my position requires exactly what you’re having a huge problem with.”
“It’s not that, Ethan, it’s the stupidity of it.”
“Well, Catherine, I can guarantee you right now that you and I will not agree on the difference between safety and stupidity.”
“Well, we’re going to need to have a real good sit down where you lay out just how stupid this security thing will be so I can know whether or not it’s doable.”
“You already said yes.”
“Then it’ll be the shortest marriage you ever saw,” she guaranteed.
Well, that problem got bigger quick. “I’ll lay it all out,” he said. “And you’ll tell me if you can handle it. If not, as you say, shortest marriage I ever did see.” Only it wasn’t. He’d been married for five minutes before. In his young pre-Bishop, idiot days.
“And does my brother know you’re not going now?” she accused.
From friend to boss man to deadly foe on the flip of a dime. “He didn’t know I was going.”
“You were just showing up out of the blue.”
And now he was rude. “I’m here.”
“Oh, I see you,” she assured, like she saw a whole lot more than that.
He docked near her little boat and climbed out, making his way to where she stood with her hip cocked and arms over her chest, staring him down. She was back in her usual attire, overalls and a yellow tank top under it. Hair in a ponytail. Simple little gem. With claws. How sharp and long was the question.
“We all have our limits,” he said when he made it to her. “Yours are with authority. Mine is with safety. There are some things in my job I can’t compromise and that’s one of them.”
“I have no issue whatsoever with authority, Ethan.”
“I don’t think you’re being dishonest when you say that, but I think your speaking from a place you’ve never been before.”
She angled her head. “Come again?”
He grinned at the crimp in her entire face. “I mean you’ve never been in this position before so it’s hard for you to know.”
Her face cleared instantly, and she aimed her thumb over her shoulder. “I got a boss. He tells me what to do, when to do it, how to do it and I do it. No questions other than those that might help me do the job better.” She smacked a mosquito on her shoulder without breaking eye contact.
“So, what exactly do you have a problem with then? I asked you to wait inside because it’s safer.”
“You said yourself you doubted he could protect me!”
“I did, but it’s better than no protection.”
She pointed at her boat, still gunning him with her gaze. “My guns in there, not in there,” she said, thumbing the store again.
He realized she was whispering, glancing over her shoulder. “So, he does like you and you know this and that has you in a panic.” He angled his head at her. “Why not just tell me that?”
He would’ve been relieved except for those claws that came out.
“Once upon a time he did, and…” She crossed her arms over her chest again, eyes sparking. “I broke his heart, okay?” She snapped both hands up, her cute face getting all severe. “I may be more a fighter than a lover, but I ain’t a bully. He’s a very nice guy and yes, I think he does have feelings still, but I go out of my way not to feed them.” She’d demonstrated how far out of her way with a huge sweep of her arm.
“Your kindness is all it takes.” And her looks. She wasn’t Miss Bayou, but she was very easy to look at. No, stare at. To figure what it was that had you needing to look in the first place. Her beauty made flash appearances before hiding, requiring you to watch and see if you were hallucinating it.
“I cannot be cruel to him in this Ethan. It’ll be bad enough he learns there’s no hope.”
Damn. She was back to his shining, perfect gem. He watched those vibrant layers that were absent in her photos.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she whispered, worry rising to the surface of the distracting display, creating another angle of that unique beauty.
“Processing.”
Her worry dissolved but only a little. “What, exactly?”
The curiosity added cute to the pallet but didn’t change the result. Her rare kindness was turning into the killer combo. No wonder Daniel was hanging on to hope for dear life. “I won’t say anything,” he decided, watching her sag in relief. “Tonight,” he added. “You might want to break it to him, though. Not something to learn through the grapevine. If he hasn’t already,” he said.
Her eyes went wide then closed. “Lord, I hope not. I really did try to like him, Ethan,” she implored, like he gave a fuck. He did not give a fuck. He’d protect the dude’s life, but his heart business was all his. Except now she was his which made it his business, like it or not. And he did not like it. He also didn’t like her having to deal with it alone, especially seeing how much turmoil it caused her.
“I think maybe I should tell him,” he decided, getting her immediate head shake and worried eyes.
“That will crush his manhood?” she half asked.
“Then we tell him together.”
The wince on her face made him shake his head with a sigh.
“That’s like a double crush, I think,” she whispered then closed her eyes. “I don’t even want to go in there now. He may suspect.”
“How?”
Her eyes popped open. “Why are you even here, for one?”
“I need supplies too? I was in the area?”
“Can’t you just…go and I’ll feel him out while getting things? And then let you know? That way we can come up with the best way to handle it.”
Definitely too sweet for her own good or his. And yet, he couldn’t find a reason why not to. He remembered he needed to listen to that recording. “Fine.”
“Oh, thank you!” she whispered. “I’d hug you, but…”
She grimaced and the rogue need to mark his territory hit his bloodstream and made it boil. They weren’t getting married in a conventional way and yet the instinctual need to seal the deal with something felt critical.
“Now what?” she wondered, reading him with an ease he might like. Or not.
“We need to make this official is what I was thinking.”
“What official?”
“Our marriage,” he said, looking at her. Testing.
“Like…signing something?”
“That and…” He looked around. “And something.”
“You mean…the consummating?”
He zeroed in on her gaze, finding her brows furrowed. Consummation was not what he had in mind. “A kiss,” he said, remembering they did that after vows were exchanged.
The look that came over her said consummation would’ve been easier. Fuck, he hoped not. She gave a little nod then. “Okay. Later?”
He resisted the urge to do it right then. Get it done with. “Yes. Later.”
“Like when?”
It was definitely a big deal to her. “You tell me.”
She gave a little shrug, stuffing a hand in her pocket and smacking her neck. “I mean…it’s just a kiss, ain’t like it needs any fanfare.”
Talking herself out of a corner. “Consummation can come later. Since it is required in a marriage.”
She nodded barely. “Okay. Whenever you want.”
“You’ll pick that one.”
She lowered her head, and he used that moment to leave. “I’ll call you later. Go straight home after supplies.”
“I will,” she assured, all her earlier fight nowhere to be found. Not a problem with authority, a problem with hurting another human. Swamp Treasure.
He’d park in the marsh nearby and listen to that recording. Make sure she got home safely.
****
Cat took her time in the tub when it was obvious Ethan wasn’t gonna show up. Not that she was hoping. But she did have more questions. Mercy he was too much. Too much man, too much sexy, too much everything. She was in over her head. And how long would she be able to pretend he didn’t shake her to the core with just a look? He thought she had an issue with authority, and she surely did with men who weren’t her boss. But his authority was different. Bossy yes, very, but his intentions kept it from rubbing her the wrong way. They rubbed her in all the right ways in fact.
And Lord of Luther he wanted to seal their marriage with a kiss. God, she hoped he knew how because she had no practice whatsoever. Which reminded her of the godawful conversation she’d had with Michelle, Rachel, and Marsha. She’d spilled the beans to them, and boy did the sexual circus ensue. She shoulda never mentioned the baby but they were prodding all about sex and well, she wanted to tell somebody. Then they harassed her about inexperience and her needing to have her parts examined, make sure she was even capable. They’d even suggested she let Daniel take her for a spin just to make sure things were operating. Bayou twats.
Her parts worked just fine. No reason they wouldn’t. Or shouldn’t.
Dread circled her gut as she worried nonetheless. What would he expect in a woman? Hopefully not experience. This was an arrangement, she remembered. She should…just tell him what he was getting. They both had a right to know those things. Especially now that she’d heard those rumors about him.
Ever hear of masturbating?
Her face burned at their question that had followed with laughter at her answer. “Everybody’s heard of that.” Thankfully she didn’t say it was a boy-only thing because apparently it was a girl thing too. But just because she’d never, didn’t mean nothing. And with a husband, that kind of thing was a no-needer. A teenage fad. And they were both way past that.
Even still, she wondered over all of it, and she kept coming up with those images of Ethan’s massive hands on his massive manhood. The visions caused a thick burning between her legs, proving she had functioning parts. Well, it was doing something.
What other functions were there and how did one know if they worked? Were there things she needed to know to please him? Lord, of course there was. This was a business arrangement to him, and he’d expect some kind of minimum knowledge at least. She’d need to find a way to present those questions in a professional manner, that’s all. He was kind enough to ask without worrying about ridicule. Because he was professional. And didn’t need a woman. Didn’t need her.
She reclined her head back, only to get immediately assaulted by those visions of his hand on his penis. Would he stroke it fast or slow. What would he look like? Muscles rippled in her mind as she saw his legs open. She opened her own and the hot water made the ache between them throb more. She lowered her hand to the spot and touched, letting out a gasp at how sensitive it was. She opened more, stroking over the area till the heat got even hotter. Would he touch her there when they tried for a baby? She let out a gasp at the idea, closing her eyes and imagining it. “Oh,” she moaned when she thought of his finger going inside her. She’d heard of a man kissing a woman down there and the second she saw his face between her legs, the heat tripled, making her cry out and open wider. She rubbed that spot faster now, moans filling her chest and pouring from her. Oh God, it felt so good. So good.
A shrill ring split the air, jolting her up in the tub. Oh crap, the cell phone he’d given her! She grabbed her washcloth and dried her hands, leaning and grabbing it off the stool.
“Sorry I’m so late,” he said. “You still up?”
“I’m…was… just getting out the tub.”
“Are you okay?”
“What? Yes, why? Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You sound like you’ve been running.”
“The phone startled me, I was…sleeping in the tub.”
There was a pause then, “Kind of dangerous.” His voice was low and rubbed against her still aching female parts. “Sorry.” Sorry? “Did you need something?”
“I’m here to talk to you.”
“Here?” She flew up out of the water and climbed out. “At my place?”
“Yes. On the porch.”
Her mouth flew open with her eyes. God, please say he did not hear anything. She fought to get her bath robe on. “How long have you been here.”
“Couple minutes.”
She swapped ears, eyeing her hair. “Why didn’t you call sooner?” Thank God she’d bathed before relaxing. She quickly worked her fingers through her wet hair.
“I was actually going to leave and come back tomorrow.”
She fought to button the robe, holding the phone between her face and shoulder. “And…”
“And I decided not to.”
Of course. Simple man that he was. “I’m not presentable, it’s the middle of the night. Let me get dressed.”
“No,” he hurried, making her heart pound in her chest. “It’s fine.”
There was a command behind the suggestion, so she nodded with a mild warning, “Suit yourself, Bossman.” Swamp-shit, why was she calling him that?
She regarded her favorite multi-colored patch-quilt robe she’d made herself from all her used towels over the years. She tightened the belt and headed to the living room.
Flipping on the porch light, she opened the door. “Heavens, get in here before the mosquitos carry you off.”
He turned and she held the door open as he entered then shut and locked it. “You want coffee or anything?” she asked, turning to find him taking a seat in the living room on the one rocking chair.
“I’m good.”
She sat on the end of the sofa, opposite him. She remembered the mole issue. “You got a plan to find that mole?” she asked, steering things to non-personal.
“I do.” He lowered his gaze over her before moving it to the table between them. “I might need your assistance if you’re not doing anything.”
“Me? I’m not very technical minded.”
“It’s nothing difficult. Just need extra hands and eyes.”
The idea of working with him had her heart in a hee-haw. “Sure, however I can help. Happy to do my best.”
“We can sleep at my place. I’ll take the couch.”
“Tonight?” she balked, fighting not to show her panic.
“Eveque elevated it to category sank.”
Geeze, a cat five threat. “I mean…sure. Happy to help.”
He suddenly stood and she did too. “I’ll pack an overnight bag.”
“Take your time. We’ll be pulling a graveyard shift.”
Mercy. An all-nighter with him? “Graveyards are…good. As shifts.” She spun for her room, shame burning her cheeks. Hurrying to her drawers, she dug through them, looking for all her best everything and stuffing them into her homemade floral canvas tote. Should she bring nightwear? She snatched her longest gown and shoved it in then made her way to the bathroom and wrapped her hairbrush and a few toiletries in a towel and stuffed that in too. Shit, she needed to dress. She headed back to the room, eyeing her church dress. Not doing that again. She found a pair of cut-off shorts of a decent length and threw them on along with a white t-shirt and her muck boots. She pulled the hair tie from her wrist and flipped her head over, wrapping her wet mop in it. She glanced at herself in the mirror, finding the floppy tail leaning right. Good enough.
“We need food or anything?” she asked, entering the living room. “I have fresh game.”
He was at that damn mantle again. “What do you have?” he asked, turning.
“Squirrel, rabbit, fish. Fresh smoked sausage. Some wild turkey.” She smiled while his eyes lowered over her outfit. “Got the turkey at my last hunt.”
“Bring the rabbit and sausage. I have everything else.”
She set her bag down and fetched her charity basket, loading it up with meat.” She turned from the fridge and jumped at finding him there. He took the basket and she shut the fridge. “Not used to having a mannered adult male around.”
He fetched her bag as he went and headed for the door.
“I’m not cripple.”
“Oh, I know,” he assured. “Bring your guns and any other weapons you carry.”
Right. The cat five threat. Which wasn’t him.