Chapter 8
It was a nice night. A cool breeze ruffled Ren’s hair as he stared out over the water.
He’d avoided Halle. Again.
He could almost hear his Ghost Ops buddy Shep calling him a fucking coward.
He shouldn’t have touched her in the first place. He shouldn’t have put his hands and mouth on her. He closed his eyes. He was still half hard. The sounds she’d made…
“Fuck.”
He had to get a grip on this or he’d have her under him, and guaranteed, she wouldn’t be a virgin anymore.
He blew out a breath. Then he heard a shout.
“Hey!”
He straightened instantly. It was Halle.
He charged down the stairs and hit the main deck at a run. It sounded like she was at the ship’s stern.
“Get away from that,” she cried.
Ren circled one of the submersibles, moving fast. Then he saw her. She was wearing shorts and a gray hoodie.
Then, beyond her, he spotted movement; a dark shadow.
Right near the UUV.
Ren picked up speed, and watched as the shadow darted away.
“Halle?” he called out.
She whirled, relief filling her face. “Ren. Thank God. There was someone by the drone.”
He scanned the deck. No way in hell he was leaving her alone.
“What’s the commotion?” Ryan appeared, followed by Sammy and Fitz. Several of the crew members arrived, as well.
“You’re okay?” Ren asked Halle.
She nodded.
“Did you see who it was?”
She shook her head. “It was too dark.”
He spotted Jack and Damien. He jerked his head, and his men nodded. They disappeared into the darkness as they started searching the deck.
“Someone was out here,” Halle told her team. “Near the UUV.”
Ryan cursed and surged forward. He leaned over the drone storage case. It was open, the drone on full display.
“Dammit. Look,” he said. “Someone was trying to open the panel on the UUV.”
Ren stepped closer. The metal of the UUV was scratched.
“Shit.” Ryan dropped down to his knees, hands running over the drone. “That’s the housing for the fuel cell.”
“What’s going on?” Professor Davis stepped into view, frowning.
A crowd had gathered. Ren stared at the spot where the shadowy figure had disappeared.
It was someone who was on the ship.
“Someone tried to get the fuel cell,” Ren said.
The professor’s brow creased. “What?”
“I yelled out,” Halle said. “It must have scared them off.”
“Ren, we need to increase security,” the professor said. “The fuel cell must be protected at all costs.”
“On it. My men are already searching for any clue as to who it was.”
The professor blew out a breath and ran a hand through his hair.
Ren looked back down at the scratch marks. “Whoever it was, they weren’t able to get it, at least.”
Ryan shook his head. “The panel is protected by a sophisticated lock. You can only open it with the right code.”
“Who has the code?” Ren asked.
“Ryan and I,” Professor Davis said. “And one backup member of our team.”
Cold trickled down Ren’s spine. “And Halle.”
She nodded. “I’m just a backup in case Ryan and the professor are unavailable.”
Things clicked in Ren’s head. Someone had tried to grab her back in San Diego, someone had searched her cabin. They were after the code.
“And you’re sure you didn’t see the guy?” he asked her.
“Sorry.” She held up her hands. “It was just too dark. He was just a shadow.”
“Tall? Short?”
She grimaced. “Medium height.”
That described half the men on the ship.
Jack and Damien reappeared. Ren strode over to join them. “Anything?”
Jack shook his head. “A couple of smudged footprints on the deck. Nothing to identify them.”
“I’ll check the cameras when I get back to the security office,” Damien said. “But it looks like whoever it was knew where they were, and stuck to the shadows.”
Ren’s mouth flattened. “I want round-the-clock security on the UUV. Get more lights out here as well. I don’t want any shadows for people to lurk in.”
“You got it, boss,” Jack said.
“Damien, set up a hidden camera no one will spot. I want it pointed directly at the UUV.”
The tall man nodded.
Ren turned to the crowd. “Okay, everyone turn in, now. The drone’s secure. Time to get back to your duties or your cabins.”
People drifted away, murmurs of conversation fading, until only Halle was left.
“You sure you’re all right?” he asked.
She shoved her hands in the kangaroo pocket of her hoodie. “I went to the lab, and I felt someone watching me. I thought I was just imagining it.”
His jaw tightened.
“Then when I came out, I saw someone by the UUV.” She shivered.
Ren rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “You’re safe.” No one was hurting her. “You’re not going anywhere by yourself from now on. Make sure you have someone with you at all times. And make sure that you use that extra lock I installed on your cabin door.”
She wrapped her arms around herself. “There’s no way I’ll sleep tonight. Not after this, and this morning…”
Ren knew he should walk away. His jaw tightened and he looked out at the dark water.
“I didn’t get a chance to thank you for the cotton candy, since you were busy avoiding me.”
He looked back at her. “I figured we both needed some space.”
“I don’t need space, Ren.” She sucked in a breath. “Anyway, thanks for the cotton candy. It made me feel better.”
He couldn’t take his gaze off her face.
“I guess I should get back to my cabin. I have photos to go through, so hopefully that’ll help take my mind off things.”
He took her hand, then he towed her behind him down the deck.
“Ren? Where are we going?”
“No questions.”
He couldn’t stand the idea of her alone in her cabin—worried, scared, upset. And with everything going on, Ren had a really bad feeling.
It was his job to keep her safe, and the best way to do that was to not let her out of his sight.
He led her to his stateroom. She hovered just inside the door while he leaned over and turned on his television. He quickly cued up the show he wanted from his collection.
All he wanted to do was get her mind off everything. He wanted to see her smile.
He wanted to reassure himself that she was alive and safe.
The screen flickered, and the black-and-white show started.
Her face lit up. “Flash Gordon?”
“Only the best.” He lay down on the bed, propping pillows under his head, before he patted the covers beside him.
She dropped down on the bed, and snuggled against him.
“Maybe we can watch the 80s movie version later too,” he said.
She laughed. The sweetest damn sound. “I know you like that better, but it’s so corny.”
“And this isn’t?”
“This is a classic, Ren.”
As the old sci-fi show played, he watched her mouth the words. He was well-aware that she knew every bit of this one off by heart.
He kept her tucked against his side. Damn, she felt good there. Right.
For tonight, he wasn’t going to overthink everything.
He’d make sure she slept tonight. And he’d make sure she was safe.
Halle blinked awake.
Mmm. She was warm and cozy. A hard, muscular arm was wrapped around her. Her heart bumped against her chest. She was lying on her side, and held tight against Ren.
He was lying on his back, still asleep. Her heart did a little crazy dance. God, he was so gorgeous. A big, male animal. Her gaze ran over the lean muscles of his bare chest.
She felt so safe with him.
She’d slept like a rock through the night. Not once had she woken up. Not once had she worried about anything.
It had been a long time since she’d felt like that. She realized that losing her mother had shaken her sense of safety and security. She’d learned that the world could be hard and tough.
That everything could change in an instant.
A dog could run in front of your car. A net could wrap around your leg. A man could kiss you and change everything.
Nuzzling against Ren’s skin, she breathed in his scent. She wanted to enjoy this moment, before he woke up and told her all the reasons why they couldn’t be together.
His hand tightened on her, and squeezed her hip.
“Hey.” His voice was husky from sleep.
She cleared her throat. “Good morning.”
He slid a hand into her hair. “Feel okay?”
“I’m fine, Ren.”
She was mostly fine. She was still worried about whoever had tried to get the fuel cell.
Callused fingers rubbed along her jaw, and her pulse jumped. Suddenly, her belly felt hot and tingly.
“Did you sleep all right?”
“Best sleep I’ve had.” She met his gaze. “Is this where you run away?”
“I should.”
“Ren…” She swallowed. “I’ve made it clear how I feel about you. If you don’t feel the same way I do…” Her throat was so tight. “If you don’t want me as much as I want you…”
The hand in her hair cupped the back of her skull. His brown eyes looked molten hot. “I do. That’s the problem.”
Oh. “It doesn’t need to be a problem. I’m not a child. And my father loves you.” I think I could fall in love with you, too.
“Damn you, Halle. For being so beautiful.” He pulled her down for a kiss.
As their lips meshed and tongues tangled, all she could think of was Ren.
Suddenly, he sat up with a flex of muscles, pulling her closer. “You’re pure temptation,” he growled. “I can’t resist you.”
“Stop thinking and just feel,” she said against his lips.
He angled his head and took the kiss deeper. He sucked on her bottom lip, then plundered her mouth with his tongue.
Oh. Yes. She kissed him back, tasting every bit of his gorgeous mouth. His tongue glided over hers, and she cupped his cheeks, loving the rough feel of his stubble.
She moved against him, desperate to feel more.
“You hungry, baby?” he murmured.
“Yes. For you.”
He slid a hand between her legs, and she cried out.
“You’re soaked.” His fingers flicked along the edge of her panties. She rubbed against him, riding his hand.
“You want my mouth on you again?” His voice was low and deep.
“Yes. But I want to touch you, too.” She slipped a hand between them and pressed it to the bulge in his boxer shorts.
He groaned. “Naughty.” Suddenly, he spun her over his lap. She gasped, loving how strong he was. His hand smoothed over her ass, then he pushed up the T-shirt she’d borrowed from him, baring her butt. His hands caressed her buttocks.
“Ren,” she said breathily.
He pulled her panties down, then slid a hand between her thighs, stroking her pussy.
“This ass.” He kneaded one cheek. “It’s always teasing me.”
The slap took her by surprise. “Oh.” The feel of his palm made her squirm and heat shot through her.
“You like that?” he murmured.
“Yes.”
“You’re naughtier than I thought, baby.” He slapped her other buttock.
Halle jolted and bit her lip. Then he stroked between her legs again. Oh, God.
“I’m going to make you come.” He pushed a finger inside her and she moaned. “Damn, so tight.”
In, then out. His finger delved deeper, and his thumb found her clit. Electricity whipped through her, zapping between her legs, up her spine. He kept touching her, leaving her shaking. Her hands twisted in the sheets.
The sounds she made now were incoherent. All she could feel was the heat inside her, every muscle in her body shivering.
He eased his finger out, toying with her clit, then when he pushed back inside her, he added a second finger.
She rocked against his hand. She teetered on the precipice. She wanted to come, needed it.
“Ren.”
“That’s it, Halle. Come on my fingers. I want to feel you come.”
She squeezed her thighs together, trapping his hand, as her release hit. She screamed his name. Liquid heat drenched her core as her body shook. The pleasure left her dizzy.
“Fuck, so beautiful.” He rolled her over and she watched as he sucked the fingers he’d had inside her into his mouth.
Dazed, she watched him. “Please. I want to give you pleasure, too. This time, let me touch you.”
His face looked harsh, set in lines of desire and conflict. Her heart squeezed, and she was sure that he was going to push her away again.
“On your knees, pretty girl.”
Her heart soared. Halle wriggled off the bed. She nestled between his muscular legs, her gaze locked on the large bulge in his boxer shorts. She pushed the cotton down, and his hard cock sprang free. It was as beautiful as the rest of him; long, thick, and so swollen.
“Halle…”
She gripped him with one hand, fingers flexing on him. He felt like hot steel. When he groaned, need shot through her.
She leaned forward and put her mouth on his cock.
He uttered a curse.
She licked, sucking at the fluid leaking from him. He was thick and she opened her mouth wider, took him deeper.
“God, look at your pretty lips stretched around my cock.” His voice was strained, guttural. He slid a palm into her hair. “Look at me corrupting that innocent mouth.”
She pressed her hands to his thighs, moaning as she moved. She went deeper, and choked a little. Eyes watering, she kept sucking his cock, wanting to give him as much pleasure as he’d given her.
Flicking her gaze up, she saw him watching her. The look on his face filled her with power. She sucked harder and hollowed her cheeks, taking his length deeper.
“Oh, shit,” he growled.
She loved him in her mouth. He felt amazing. Tasted amazing.
As she kept working him, every sensation felt magnified—the low growls he made, the way his hips jerked, the way his fingers tightened in her hair.
She wanted to take him all the way, and watch him come. For her. Because of her.
“Halle, I’m going to come.” His hand clenched on her hair. “Pull up, baby.”
When he tried to pull back, she moved forward and sucked his cock harder. She slid one hand up his thick thigh and dug her nails in.
He groaned deeply, and pumped his big cock into her mouth. As he came, he growled her name, and she swallowed his load. Everything he had.
His cock had just started to soften when he pulled her up. “Damn, Halle. You destroy me.” He kissed her, hard.
She hugged him. “I don’t want to destroy you.” No, she wanted to put him back together. Make him realize there was so much more he could have.
She wanted to be a part of his whole.