Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“ I never pegged you as a man who took baths.” Jenna stirred her hand in the warm water, leaning back against Park’s hard, naked body.
“I’ve never taken one before. I don’t mind it.” He tugged on her hair. “Although I’m pretty sure it’s the company I like most.”
She smiled. After the most intense sex of her life, she’d been surprised when he’d run a bath for them in the huge tub. Her smile widened. He’d lit a couple of candles but had drawn the line at using bubble bath.
She guessed that was one step too far for a badass former Ghost Ops soldier.
She was pleasantly sore between her legs. The sex had been rough, but exactly what she’d needed. What she’d wanted.
“Open,” he said.
She obeyed, opening her mouth, and he fed her some cheese and crackers. He’d brought the tray of food into the bathroom, and he’d been feeding her little bites. The man really liked watching her eat.
He seemed to like looking after her.
Her stomach felt funny. She’d never needed someone to look after her.
After her father had gone to prison, she’d vowed to never need anyone.
She and Park had discussed their lack of protection. Luckily, she used contraception, and had been tested during a physical recently. Park been tested, too, when he’d left Ghost Ops, and he hadn’t been with anyone since he’d left the military.
Until her.
Jenna snuggled deeper against his hard chest. Not letting herself think too hard about how much she loved the fact that he liked her touching him.
She’d spilled all her sordid family history…and he’d just listened. He hadn’t looked at her any differently. He’d told her she was strong, and everything he’d done showed how much he liked her strength.
Her eyelids closed. She was starting to feel tired now.
“I can track Olson,” Parker said.
Jenna sat up and turned to look him. “You’re sure?”
“It’s worth a try.”
They didn’t have any better leads right now, unless the state troopers found something in the Hoskins’ cabin. But Jenna and Park searched it and all they had was the blood trail Olson had left. “All right. Tomorrow, let’s go after him.”
“We’ll need food, supplies, and camping gear.”
And weapons. She nodded. She rested her hand on his thigh and rubbed. “We should get some sleep.”
Reluctantly, they got out of the bath and dried off. They needed a decent rest if they were going to hike into the Alaskan wilderness.
She wrapped a towel around her body and listened to the bath water gurgle as she brushed her teeth.
Park pulled on clean, black boxer briefs, and she watched him in the mirror. That body… The hard muscles, the scars. He was every inch the warrior.
Heat sparked in her belly. She’d never run this hot before. How could she want him again after what they’d shared earlier?
She headed out into the bedroom. She dropped the towel and climbed into the bed.
Park watched her and flicked on one of the bedside lamps, then turned the overhead light off. His gaze was on her naked body.
“No pajamas tonight?” he asked.
She shook her head.
He strode to the bed, then shoved his boxer shorts off and kicked them away.
“Then I need to eat that sweet pussy again.”
Her heartbeat set off at a breakneck pace. She lay back and let her thighs fall open.
With a growl, he was on her. His hands gripped her thighs, pushing them wide, then his tongue was lapping between her legs.
Jenna’s head fell back. Pure pleasure ran through her. He licked and sucked and teased like he couldn’t get enough.
She wanted him to feel this pleasure, too.
“Park.” She grabbed at him. “Come here.”
He looked up and paused, his mouth glistening with her juices. His hungry gaze was on her face.
“Come this way,” she said. “Straddle me.”
He hesitated, then obeyed. That left him crouched over her, with his head between her legs, and his thighs on either side of her head.
That beautiful cock of his was right in front of her face.
He went back to licking at her clit.
She licked the head of his cock and heard his low groan. The salty taste of him hit her and she sucked him deep. Soon, the room was filled with the sounds of their pleasure. She knew neither of them would last long.
Suddenly, he pulled away.
“ No ,” she said.
“Not coming down your throat this time.” He spun, and his body came down over hers. He gripped her hands, pinning her arms to the bed above her head. His hips pressed between hers, then without warning, he pushed inside her.
Oh . She arched her body into his. His dark gaze was on her face. This time, his thrusts were deep, but slow.
“ Park ,” she murmured, pushing into his hard grip.
He kept her pinned. “Slow this time.”
They moved together. She liked him holding her down, and she realized that he was the only man she’d let do that.
Heat built inside her. Their gazes caught and her breath tangled in her throat. He looked harsh, tough, but she wasn’t afraid.
“ Jenna .” His thrusts got faster, firmer. His hard cock filled her, stretched her. She matched his thrusts, moving into each plunge.
He released her arms, then gripped her legs, and pushed them toward her chest. He went deeper. Possessed her.
Pressure was building inside her. “Park, I—” She broke.
The pleasure burst and rushed over her. She cried out and shuddered through the intense burn of her climax.
He followed her a second later. He thrust deep and groaned her name. She felt the hot spill of his release, then she was too lost in the pleasure to be conscious of anything.
Finally, he rolled onto the bed beside her, his chest heaving. She rolled into him, her face on his chest. She let out a contented sigh.
His big hand cupped her ass, holding her close.
Despite everything, she felt the best she’d felt in a long time.
“Guess you don’t mind being touched anymore,” she murmured.
He was quiet for a beat. “Only if you’re the one touching me.”
Her heart swelled. Oh God . She wasn’t supposed to feel like this. To feel so much for this scarred hero.
“Sleep now,” he said.
She nodded, and he reached out to turn off the lamp, plunging them into darkness.
Jenna went to sleep, thinking that being held by Parker Conroy was the best place she’d ever slept.
He pulled to a stop on the track to the Hoskins’ cabin.
He and Jenna got out of the vehicle. It was still early, soft, morning light bathing the scenery. It made everything look like a delicate, watercolor painting.
But today, they were going to hunt a dangerous killer.
There was nothing soft or delicate about that.
Jenna opened the back of the SUV. Her face was set in serious lines, her hair in a tight braid. There was no sign of the eager lover from last night. His fingers curled into his palms.
Last night… The best night of his life.
He gave his head a quick shake and locked down his feelings. They’d agreed to keep this thing between them casual. As soon as they caught Olson, she’d board a plane and be gone from his life. Like she never existed.
He made himself focus. He had to stay on point today. There was too much at stake.
They were both wearing lightweight hiking pants and boots. They pulled their backpacks on. They had plenty of food, as well as a small, compact tent and basic camping gear. Park had put more in his backpack. He’d been trained to hike for days with a heavy pack.
She looked up. “Let’s do this.”
With a nod, he set off.
She’d checked in with Owen on the drive up. The marshal and the state troopers were much closer now, ensuring Olson wasn’t trying to leave the area. They were on standby, in case Jenna and Parker needed backup.
They fell into an easy hike up the hill. When the cabin came into view, Jenna stopped. He saw the sadness on her face, felt it, but he hoped that the guilt had lessened.
Has yours?
For once, he didn’t ignore the voice in his head. Yeah. Maybe it had. Or at least, maybe he was on a path where it would.
He thought of those soldiers who’d died. Some had been so young, but so proud to serve their country. He remembered sharing a beer with Leo. The man had always been a smiling, happy, young guy. And Kristy, who’d been tougher than most of the guys she served with and loved making silly videos to send home to her family.
“At least they’re together,” Jenna said. “The Hoskins clearly loved each other, and they’re together.”
He nodded. “You believe in an afterlife?”
“Sure. I believe there’s something. Maybe not Pearly Gates and fluffy clouds, but there’s something.” She pulled in a deep breath, then turned away from the cottage. “Can you pick up the trail?”
Park moved to the spot where he’d seen signs of Olson’s escape. He searched and spotted a partial boot print. There was also a small twig and leaf that had been torn off a bush.
“Got it.” He set off.
A few times, they had to stop while Park searched to find the trail. Olson had moved east for a while, then turned to head north. Finally, he’d circled around, moving west.
Once he was some distance from the cabin, he’d stopped working so hard to hide his trail, and it became a bit easier to track him.
As the morning wore on, they stopped for a quick break but kept a fast pace.
Where are you, asshole?
I’m coming for you.
Olson was a blight on Ghost Ops. A blight on humanity. He’d made Jenna cry and almost killed her.
That motivated Park most of all.
He pushed for more speed, striding through the trees.
“Hey, I need a break.”
He slowed down and turned. Jenna’s face was covered in a sheen of perspiration.
“I get that you can keep this punishing pace up for hours, but clearly I’m not as fit as I thought I was.” She pressed her hands to her thighs and bent over.
“Sorry.” He’d been moving at a Ghost Ops pace. Hell, she’d kept up with him for a long time. He touched her back. “You’re plenty fit. It felt like you were one of my Ghost Ops teammates.”
She shot him a look, her lips twitching. “Hopefully none of your Ghost Ops buddies had sucked your cock the night before.”
Lightness hit him and he couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Hell, no.”
She straightened, her gaze on his lips. “That’s the first time I’ve heard you laugh out loud like that. You have a nice laugh.”
He stilled. “It’s the first time I’ve laughed in a long time.”
She drank from her water bottle and offered it to him.
“All right, Conroy, I’m ready. But maybe a slightly slower pace this time?”
After a sip of water, he put the bottle back in her backpack.
“Okay.” Then he spun her and pressed a quick kiss to her lips.
She smiled up at him. That smile. He realized he’d do a lot to keep it on her face.
They set off again, and he was careful to keep a steady pace that looked right for Jenna.
Every step brought them nearer to closing in on Olson.
Soon, the asshole would be locked away. Jenna and the marshals wouldn’t make the same mistake twice and let him escape again.
And Park was there to make sure she didn’t get hurt while she brought him in.
Whatever happened between Park and Jenna, whatever the future brought, it didn’t change his driving need to keep her safe.
It was as strong as his need to serve his country had been.
He glanced at her. He’d give everything to protect her, even his own life, if that’s what it took.