Out of the Dark Read online

  For a moment he released her only to pull off the shirt and her red bikini panties. She was naked and mouthwatering. Bucking up and ignoring the pain in his side, he pulled off his boxers. Em gazed down at his erection. Her smile gave him the ultimate compliment every man craved. Mac’s gaze went down and he smiled at her Brazilian wax job.

  His mouth watered, his head spun and every muscle grew taut. He captured her lips and kissed her long, hard and demanding. His lips opened and closed as he sucked on her bottom lip, nibbling softly with his teeth. He inhaled her familiar scent and felt her warm, feminine body against his.

  His hand went between her open legs where he rubbed her, parted her, and probed her with two fingers. She cried out in pleasure, as he withdrew only to slowly lick his fingers.

  Delicious!

  Mac wanted nothing more than to spend the whole day in bed, making love.

  He flipped her over.

  “Mac, I want you inside me.”

  “That exactly where I want to be. Damn, you’re sweet.” He kissed her again as his hand fumbled for the wallet on the nightstand. He wasn’t having any luck. Mac realized if he didn’t get the condom soon, this was going to be the first time he had unprotected sex.

  Em broke their kiss, took his wallet off the nightstand and removed the foil package. Smiling, she waved it in the air. “Looking for this?” She arched her slender brow.

  Sweat peppered his forehead as he entered her slowly. In then out, further in then back out until finally Mac couldn’t stand it anymore. Her body had such a hold on him, he thought he’d explode.

  Gritting his teeth, Mac pushed deep into her body, and felt her squeeze tight as a clenched hand around him. She closed her eyes as he rocked back and forth, in and out, the pressure growing stronger and harder...fierce.

  Em clutched his back and he kissed her deep and hard and desperately. He raised his head. “Open your eyes, Em. I want to see you come.”

  She complied.

  He took her hands in his, threading their fingers together. Out of need, and long awaited release, he thrust hard, going deeper. He increased the pace and he felt her body tremble with desire. Her honey brown eyes turned a soft golden color that pulled at his heart as his muscles tightened and he fought to hold back until she reached her satisfaction.

  Then it happened. She arched her back as tiny pulses pulled at his dick, and Em cried out just as wave after wave of pleasure tumbled him right into paradise. Mac tried to hold on to that part of himself he never gave away, but he couldn’t. The intensity almost blinded him. And it went on until they were both satiated and limp.

  She lay beneath him completely sated and a mellow, sexy smile on her face. Mac removed the condom, pulled her closer then kissed her. “You okay?”

  “Oh yes,” she breathe out.

  Wrapped in each other’s arms, they both fell into deep slumber.

  ***

  Later, Mac opened his eyes, yawned and stretched before he noticed he was alone. Worried about Em, he stood. The room spun. Closing his eyes, he shook his head to clear the cobwebs. “Em,” he called.

  Relief, like he’d never known, coursed through him when he heard the sound of running water and Em softly humming in the shower. Closing his eyes, Mac slumped against the headboard. Then all the memories of what had happened earlier slammed into his brain like an all-out offensive. Mac tried to take a deep breath only to find he couldn’t. His emotions were too raw and exposed.

  Remembering their lovemaking, he sat on the edge of the bed and scrubbed his face. His wristwatch lay on the nightstand. Once his eyes focused, he picked it up. 9:30. They should have been at Stanley’s by 8:00.

  Since the day he’d enlisted in the Navy, gone through BUDs training and became a SEAL, Mac had always done what he was directed to do. He rarely failed, and never stepped out of line with something as serious as getting involved with a civilian.

  A person he was trusted to protect. Even taking Angelina from the nunnery had been sanctioned by Frank and the Agency.

  Frank was going to chew him up and spit him out then kick his ass to Canada.

  The noise in the shower stopped. After a few seconds Emily stepped into the dressing area outside the bathroom. Mac slipped on his pants and picked up his cell phone.

  God, he wanted her again...and again.

  After clearing his throat, Mac asked, “Ah, can I get in there?”

  She turned and their gazes collided. She looked the happiest he’d seen since this mess started. “Yes, I’m finished.”

  She had a white towel wrapped around her hot little body, and the other twisted around her hair, which meant he’d be drying off on a small hand towel.

  Em strolled toward him, a sultry smile that silently asked if he would be interested in a repeat of last night. Her warm brown eyes, delicate brows and kissable lips all summed up one gorgeous woman. And that body was made for a man to love, forever.

  Uncomfortable as hell, Mac kissed her quickly on the forehead then practically ran into the bathroom and closed the door.

  Man up, Slick, he tried to convince himself.

  He stripped, turned on the shower then stepped into the tub. The warm water felt good against his cold flesh and his sore muscles. Maybe his ribs hadn’t been broken after all. After his shower, he dressed in the bathroom since he wasn’t sure where Em was, and he was in no hurry to face her.

  Yes, he felt like a royal jerk.

  But he could never handle the next morning very well. That’s why he never brought dates home. Never allowed anyone to spend the night, and would rather be out the cost of a hotel room than experience the goodbyes. If he spent the night at a woman’s place, he made damn sure to always be long gone before daylight.

  And he made that clear in the beginning.

  Yes, it was shallow and lot of other shit, but that was who he was, and the thoughts of change never entered his mind.

  Strange, but sex with Em had been mind-blowing and wonderful.

  Special.

  This meant he had to end it now. And make damn sure it never happened again. He was a smart man, and someone who couldn’t screw with the emotions of a woman like Em. She deserved better.

  Hating himself for what he had to do, Mac took his phone off the sink and dialed Frank.

  “Mac?” Frank said. “Where are you?”

  “We’re still at the motel, but I can...”

  Frank let out a sigh of relief. “Thank God.”

  “Really? Why?

  “I’m glad Emily was able to get some extra shut-eye. She looked pretty roughed up yesterday.”

  “Ah, yeah, but...”

  “Are you heading to the inventor’s place?”

  Mac cleared his throat. “Frank I’ve been thinking.” Rubbing the back of his neck, Mac fought for the right words. “Maybe you should send another agent to take care of Em. This way I can be out there looking for...”

  “For what Mac? We don’t even know what the hell we’re up against. Besides, Emily trusts you.”

  “Yeah, but it’s getting...”

  “Hold on, I have another call.”

  Silence.

  As his eyes traced every inch of the small bathroom, Mac thought about how tough it was going to be to spend any more time with Em. He had never been in this situation. Still, he was determined to put Em in more competent hands and find out who wanted them dead.

  Frank came back on the line. “Mac, you still have that lens camera, right?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  “Get that developed today and send me those pictures. Word’s out that Emily might have managed to capture some serious Intel. Tony found out someone followed her into the hotel in Moscow looking for information.”

  “Information about Em?”

  “Yeah. Like who she worked for, why was she there. Stuff like that.”

  “Okay...but.”

  “Get on it, Mac. We don’t have a lot of time.”

  Well, that hadn’t gone the way he’d hop
ed. Sticking the phone in his pocket, he stepped into the dressing area and expected to see Em’s reflection in the mirror.

  Instead, the room was empty.

  “Em,” he called knowing she wasn’t hiding under the bed. “Em?”

  By instinct, Mac ran to the door and found the chain latch undone. He smacked the frame. Damn, where was she? Where could she go?

  Disregarding everything, Mac yanked the door open and stepped out into the morning air. The black SUV sat parked where he’d left it.

  Food!

  Wasting no time, Mac ran down the walkway toward the vending machines. As he turned the corner he plowed into the young cowboy from the night before. Surprised, the boy stopped and looked at Mac like his head was missing.

  Mac grabbed the young boy by the shirt and pulled him close. “Where is she?”

  The guy tried to draw back, but Mac held him too tight. “Who, man?”

  “My wife?”

  The redneck thumbed over his shoulder. “She’s in there.”

  Shoving the boy aside, Mac darted into the small square room that held the ice machine, soda, and candy vending machines.

  Mac rubbed his eyes and exhaled slowly. Emily Richards was the only woman who had the remarkable ability to scare the Holy shit out of him.

  Huffing hard, Mac saw her standing with a Diet Coke and a small orange juice in one hand, her other poised above the coin slot. She turned and looked at him, her fine brows drawn together. “What are you doing out here barefooted?”

  “You lose track of your wife?”

  “Mind your own business.”

  The boy inched backwards. “Fuck you too, mister.”

  Mac turned his attention to Em. “What do you mean leaving the room like that?”

  “Like what?” she injected in a dry tone. “Opening the door and walking out?”

  “You know what I mean. I thought you’d left.”

  She strolled from the vending room toward their room, him following close behind, unable to think of one word of small talk.

  “Now, why would a woman leave a man as warm and cuddly as you, Mac?” Still walking, she handed the orange juice over her shoulder, and he took it. “No shirt, no shoes, no service.”

  He could only mumble like an idiot.

  Outside their door, she slid the card key in place, and the door swung open. The coolness of the room wrapped around his bare shoulders. Before going out, Em had obviously adjusted the thermostat.

  “Don’t leave unless I know where you’re going. You scared the hell out of me.”

  “I just went to get a drink for me and some juice for you. What’d you think? I’d stolen the car and run off.” Her face brightened and her eyes rounded. “That’s exactly what you thought wasn’t it, Super Spy.” She slammed the Coke down on the table and faced him, her hands jammed against her waist. “You need to learn something about me. I don’t run, I don’t hide, and I never walk out on anyone.”

  “Fine,” he muttered. “I was just concerned, that’s all.”

  “Concerned that I’d leave you stranded. Is that all you care about?”

  He wanted to argue, but what could he say. She was right. He’d thought she cut out on him, and he would be stuck here until Falcon brought another car. But what really scared him shitless was that while she was out there someone could have taken her. Maybe hurt her because she was with him. He couldn’t live with that.

  I’ve never left anyone. It galled him that some asshole had done a number on Em. Even before hearing the whole story, Mac hated every man who’d ever hurt Em, and hoped they all suffered from chronic Erectile Dysfunction.

  Was he any better?

  Eyes averted, he untapped the cap on the orange juice and took a long swallow. It wasn’t as cold as he liked, but it was wet and sweet.

  “You ready?” he asked.

  She knocked back a sip of Coke and shrugged. “Couldn’t you get me passed on to another agent?”

  His heart skipped a beat. “What?”

  She nodded toward the bathroom. “The walls are thin as paper. I overheard you talking to Frank.”

  The pain and sadness in her beautiful brown eyes crushed his chest like a bug beneath his heel. He hadn’t meant to hurt her. He wanted her happy and smiling. The only problem was he couldn’t be the man to make that happen. He couldn’t love her because he’d decided years ago to never go down that dark, scary ally.

  “You’re safety is what’s important, Em. If anything happened to you...”

  “Shut up, Mac. I’m sick of your lies and excuses. Morning after regrets setting in?”

  “No.”

  “Liar.” She put her hand on her hip. “Don’t worry. You’ll be free of me soon enough. I’m through playing Falcon’s game. I’m going home, and you can all go to hell.”

  She wore her hair down, straight and shiny. To his surprise it was longer than he’d thought. He tried to imagine waking up next to her every day for the rest of his life, but his mind went blank as trepidation and insecurity climbed his spine.

  After Em gathered her purse and laptop, Mac took her briefcase and opened the door. Assured it was safe, they left the room and walked toward the stairs.

  He knew he had plenty of time to talk some sense into her head before they got to Stanley’s.

  As they passed room 208 the young cowboy stepped out in front of them. “Hey, Hot Shot. Me and you got a score to settle.”

  Surely this kid wasn’t serious, was he? “I’d like you to meet my big brother.” The cowboy finished by kicking the door to his room open.

  A man the size of a sumo wrestler moved in front of the kid, completely blocking the door.

  Ah, shit. He wasn’t kidding.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Emily dropped her purse and laptop before wedging herself between Mac and the not so Jolly-Green-Giant. She nearly gagged on the stench of marijuana, stale beer and an ashtray full of cigarette butts. “Look, this is no way to start the day,” she said, with a cheerfulness she didn’t feel. “Let’s all go along and mind our own business, okay?”

  “Hell no, it ain’t okay.” The cowboy stepped from behind his protector. Face red, and eyes spitting fire, he pointed at Mac. “That son of a bitch grabbed me up by the collar. Accused me of messing with his wife.”

  “You do that mister?” the giant asked, in a voice deep as a cavern.

  Mac shrugged then set Emily’s briefcase on the concrete walkway. “Yeah, that’s pretty much how it went down.” With a wide stance, his balled fists hung at his side, ready for action.

  “Don’t listen to my husband,” Emily interrupted quickly, waving her hands in the air. “He has Alzheimer’s and he never knows from one moment to the next what’s going on.” Emily tried to shove past the two men, and move them to the safety of the SUV. She’d have better luck walking through a brick wall.

  Mac snagged her back pocket and pulled her closer to him. “This could easily be a misunderstanding, but...”

  “See,” she said. “Just a misunderstanding. Let’s go.” Her feet moved, but she wasn’t covering any ground.

  Desperate to get away, Emily reached back and took Mac’s hand. A grunt escaped her lips when she tried to pull him toward the stairs. He wouldn’t budge. He might as well be super glued to the ugly carpet.

  “Em,” Mac said. “You go down and get in the car. I’ll be right there.” A menacing glint sparked in Mac’s blue eyes that told Emily the inevitable. “Gentlemen, my room or yours?”

  Emily gritted her teeth. Grown people didn’t act like this. “Wait one damn minute. No one is going to fight. Do you hear?” Emily placed her palm on her heart. “I am a professional negotiator. I can talk anyone out of, or into, almost anything.”

  The three men continued to stare at each other. The giant cracked his knuckles and Emily wanted to punch him herself.

  “Why don’t you come in here?” The big guy waved Mac inside, and it looked as if Mac was about to comply. Eyeing the young man carefully, Mac
stepped into the room. Emily moved in behind him.

  After entering the room identical to theirs, Emily noticed another man sat on the bed, drinking a beer, and smoking a cigarette.

  Mac moved to Emily and edged her toward the door. “You go down to the car and wait,” Mac said with a sly grin. “I won’t be long.”

  “Oh no. She stays,” said the man sitting on the bed. “When we finished beating the hell out of you, we’ll take good care of your wife.”

  The younger cowboy reached out to touch Emily, but before Mac could react, Emily picked up the beige cradle phone and smacked the young man in the head. When he went to his knees, Emily drew back her foot and planted it solidly in his chest and shoved. Cowboy Bob dropped like a rotted fence post.

  Damn, she was getting good at this, and that scared Mac in a proud kind of way.

  The other two men looked on in shock. “Now listen,” Em said, “I tried to tell you we don’t want trouble, but you wouldn’t listen.” Calmly, she reached behind them and opened the door and backed out. Mac fought back a grin. She had the material of his shirt clutched in her fist. Obviously, where she was going, she planned to take his clothes with her.

  The giant’s bottom lip quivered and Mac thought he was going to cry. Instead he lowered his head then ran toward them. Mac pushed Emily to the opposite side of the door while he stood in the middle, waiting, his feet spread.

  As the man came closer, Mac stepped aside, grabbed his arm, and a belt loop on his jeans, and tossed the big guy over the wrought iron railing.

  Silently the giant sailed through the air like a missile. The loud thud of a body landing on metal made Mac cringe. Leaning over the rail, Mac saw the guy sprawled in the bed of an old pickup. They both turned in unison to face the last man.

  He stood slowly then held up his hands in surrender. That business taken care of, Mac and Emily grabbed her stuff and ran down the stairs, jumped in the car, and left.