Chapter 6
"There’s nothing wrong with the survey maps.” Suzi scratched her head. “I’ve checked them multiple times. According to the geographical satellite images, you’re absolutely right, we should find evidence of hydrocarbons and the correct composition of elements in the test samples.”
“And yet I haven’t.” Ellie shook her head. “It doesn’t make sense. Something’s off.”
“Henderson’s instructions are to keep testing. Test everything that comes up, and if at the end of the six-month trial, we haven’t found anything, the project will be shut down.”
Ellie didn’t point out what a monumental loss of investment that would be, a waste of millions of dollars in resources, an unnecessary environmental impact, not to mention downright puzzling, since according to all the survey data they had, they should be finding oil here.
On top of that, it would mean she’d failed. Her first solo engineer position, and she’d found nothing.
“There’s nothing more you can do.” Suzi rose to grab another soda. “Your job is to analyze the samples, that’s it.”
“I just hate not knowing why.” She folded her arms across her chest and stared unseeing at the wall-mounted television screen that—despite an old-style jukebox standing in the corner—played old music videos. The crew hung out and let off steam in this, the only recreational lounge on the rig. In addition to the two media sources, the room boasted a pool table, ping-pong table, and bar that only sold soft drinks.
“Above our pay grade,” Suzi said. “You want one?”
She shook her head. “Nah, I think I’m going to get an early night. The jetlag is killing me.” She hadn’t been able to shake it off. Besides, she wasn't in the mood to have fun. The issue with the samples was driving her crazy. It was a puzzle she couldn’t solve, and she wouldn’t be able to let it go until she had answers.
“I’ve heard jetlag takes at least a week,” Suzi said.
“I’ll catch you later.” Ellie pushed to her feet then turned to leave the hall.
Five a.m. and the deck was deserted.
"Looks like we're in for some weather," Phoenix's growly whisper came from directly behind her, making her jump. Still groggy from an interrupted night’s sleep, her head hadn’t woken up yet. He was seriously the stealthiest person she knew.
“I wish you’d stop doing that,” she complained, hugging herself to ward off the chill. She’d underestimated the early morning temperature and had worn nothing but a tight, white T-shirt with her leggings—a choice she was deeply regretting.
His gaze dropped to her breasts, and blushing, she moved her arms across her erect nipples.
“You’re cold.”
No shit.
Before she had time to reply, he'd put down his rifle, whipped off his tactical vest, and removed his sweatshirt, displaying through a tight tee a dazzlingly toned stomach with six-pack abs.
Holy hell. Did real men actually have bodies like that? He looked like he belonged on the cover of Men's Health magazine.
"Here, take this," he offered, the fabric still holding the heat of his body as he handed it to her.
She hesitated, but then tore her gaze away from his abdominals and pulled the sweatshirt over her head. It was like being enveloped in a part of him—his scent, warm and inviting, was a comforting contrast to the briny sea air. "Thank you.”
"It looks good on you." He smiled in that secretive way. She noticed he had his vest back on, and his rifle was back in his hands. He'd managed all that while she'd been pulling on his shirt.
"Won't you be cold now?" His T-shirt strained around his biceps. Not that she minded the eye candy, but it didn't offer much in the way of warmth.
He shrugged. "Nah, I'm used to it. Besides, I'm going off duty in a couple of hours. I'll be fine."
There was a brief pause. The tension in the air wasn't just from the incoming pressure system. She was wearing his sweatshirt. It felt like him, smelled like him. Even though there was nothing between them, she couldn't get rid of the sensation of being covered by him.
Lord have mercy.
"This storm could delay the drilling," she ventured, grasping for a professional anchor. What the hell was wrong with her? Any longer and she was going to melt under that midnight-blue stare.
"Yeah, it'll rough up the seas. We’re going to secure the equipment and make sure everything’s locked down. Best to stay below deck when it hits.”
“We can monitor the weather system from the control deck,” she said, unnecessarily. He didn’t need to know that. She was babbling. Did he have any idea the turmoil her jetlagged brain was in?
"We’ll check the rig's stabilizers, make sure everything's battened down," he added matter-of-factly. “There’s no need to worry.” She wasn’t worried, she just wished he wouldn’t look at her that way, like she was something he had to protect. No one had looked at her that way in a long time. She’d forgotten what it was like.
And if her stomach would just stop fluttering, she’d be able to think straight. “When is landfall? I mean, when is it going to hit us?”
“Within the next twenty-four hours,” he confirmed. “It’s due to hit the Florida coastline at 0200 hours, so I’d estimate an hour after that. It moves pretty quick.”
“We’ve got some time to finish drilling on the fourth test site, then?”
He frowned. “How long will you need?”
“Another eight hours, give or take. According to Billy, the Operations Manager, we’re nearly there—then we can start collecting samples.”
“Eight hours is pushing it,” he said. “I’d advise him to shut down operations by 1700 this afternoon, so we have time to make sure everything’s secure before the storm hits.”
Fair enough. Personnel safety was more important than her test samples. “I’ll talk to him.”
He gave a quick nod. “Feeling better now?”
Were her nipples still misbehaving? Heck, yeah, but she suspected that was more to do with him than the cold.
“I am, thank you.” She could smell his aftershave on the sweatshirt, toying with her senses. It was like having him on top of her again, but instead of his hands holding her down, they were enveloping her.
Suddenly, she craved that. He was still giving off that hot, protective vibe, his clear blue eyes caressing her with their directness. Her gaze dropped to his lips—she couldn’t help it—and before she knew it, he’d taken a step toward her.
A large hand reached out and wrapped around her waist, pulling her toward him. Her heart throbbed manically. It was terrifying… but at the same time, exhilarating.
This isn't me, a voice screamed inside her head, but she wasn't listening. A deep, primal urge had taken over. It consumed her, drawing her to him like a magnet. She wanted to feel his arms around her for real.
A strong gust of wind pummeled her, pushing her toward him, until she was so close she could feel the heat emanating from his body. Phoenix stared down at her, his expression tense, like he was trying to fight this attraction, or whatever it was between them, and failing.
She wasn’t even trying to fight it.
He looped his other arm around her waist, locking her against him. Those rock-hard abs dug into her stomach, and her breasts pushed up against his chest.
Dear God.
She clung onto him, her legs suddenly wobbly, hearing a soft groan in the back of his throat as she did so. “Ellie.”
Damn, he was easy to look at with his glittering blue eyes that softened when he looked at her, and that stubbly jaw that made her want to reach out and touch it. Her heart was pounding like a drill bit. Could he hear it?
Slowly, he lowered his head. It was going to happen. Right here, on the deck. He was going to kiss her… but then a dark shape appeared from behind the rigging.
"Everything all right here?"
Ellie gasped and pulled away. It was his friend, the other security operative.
“Holy shit, Boomer,” Phoenix exploded, spinning around. “A little warning next time.”
This guy was as stealthy as Phoenix was. If only her heart would stop pounding…
She stared at the good-looking man, in identical black clothing, a similar gun, but where Phoenix had longer, wayward hair, this guy had a short, military-style brush cut. This must be the guy Suzi was into.
“Was wondering where you'd gotten to, buddy.” Boomer’s his lips curled up in a grin.
“I’m right here.” Phoenix shot him a withering glare.
Boomer laughed, a deep rumbling sound. Ellie could see why Suzi liked him. He had a kind, craggy face, with deep set eyes and a wide, warm smile. His arms were also thick and muscly, like Phoenix’s, and his shoulders were almost as broad.
“You must be Suzi’s roommate,” Boomer said, extending a hand. “She’s told me about you.”
Ellie forced a smile, her legs still a little unsteady. “Likewise. Good to meet you, Boomer.”
“Glad to see you’re being looked after.” He nodded to the black sweatshirt she was wearing.
Immediately, she flushed. “Yes, I stupidly underestimated how cold it was up here.”
“Storm’s coming.” He echoed Phoenix’s warning.
“Yes, and you know what, I’d better head back down.” Her time was up, and she had to get ready for work, and then go and speak to Billy.
“Thanks for the shirt,” she added.
Phoenix nodded. “No worries.”
Another gust made her take a hurried step forward. It was getting windy up here. She wasn’t sure it was safe to keep drilling, even for half a day, let alone eight hours.
“Nice to meet you, Ellie,” Boomer called as he strolled off to check on a rattling chain.
“I, um… I’d better go,” she said to Phoenix.
He nodded, not quite meeting her eye. “Yeah, see you later.”
She picked up her mat then hurried back toward the staircase. Before she descended, she glanced back. Phoenix stood staring after her, and his intense expression made her catch her breath. Then, before she could decide what to do about it, he turned his back and walked away.