Ultimate Engagement (9 page)

S
loan thought
her heart would pound right out of her chest. Seeing that gun at Adam’s back had wrung the air out of her lungs, made her blood turn to sludge in her veins, and left her with no option other than to intercede. She’d known Adam would be pissed, but she hadn’t cared.

Adam glaring at her with every step proved she’d been right. His expression was as thunderous as she’d ever seen it, and Sloan swallowed thickly, her heart again thudding at Adam’s icy look. When she met his eyes, she saw the same anger in them, but Sloan didn’t break his gaze. Instead she stopped, eyes still on his as she pulled herself to her full height and tilted her chin, daring him to chastise her.

“Connell?” he spat finally, not moving as he spoke.

“Connell?” she said, surprised by what he’d said. She hadn’t been expecting that, and it took her a moment to catch up, even though she’d seen him minutes ago. “You mean the guy who was about to shoot you, but because of me bought your cover?”

“Yeah, that guy. You’re on a first-name basis?”

She practically smiled at him but managed to keep her voice calm. “Yeah. I chatted with him some. You and I agreed he wasn’t a standard-issue security guy, so I decided to talk to him, see what was what.”

His expression told Sloan Adam was about to detonate.

In three, two, one…

“I’m the fucking mercenary here,” he said through clenched teeth, voice seething.

“Well, I’m the fucking ‘people’ person here. It’s obvious he doesn’t belong, so it seemed like a good idea to get to know him, his story. His name, for goodness sake. There may be something useful there,” she said.

Adam’s expression, which had been thunderous before, now became something else altogether. He stomped closer to her, his ridiculous combat boots leaving marks in the sand, though she chose not to acknowledge that point for the moment.

“Get to know him?” he said when he stood in front of her. He had to bend down to properly glare at her, but Sloan stood as tall as she could and kept her eyes glued on his. “You are here solely for the purpose of maintaining my cover. Nothing more, Sloan,” he said.

“And that’s exactly what I just did. How were you going to explain to Connell what you were doing out there?” she asked, now glaring herself at Adam’s ridiculous overreaction. A little gratitude would have been nice, but Adam seemed more interested in chewing her out.

“I could have handled
Connell
,” Adam said, saying the name as though it were the vilest thing he’d ever uttered.

“But because I was there, you didn’t have to,” Sloan said.

“No. You did a good job of distracting him,” Adam said, looking down at her.

His gaze practically burned her skin, making her feel a little more exposed than she had before. She had brought this particular item on a complete lark, deciding she wanted to be prepared, and thank goodness she had.

She doubted Connell would have bought her story if she had come with her capri pants and T-shirt, but Adam seemed none too pleased about it. In fact, as he looked at her, seeming to gaze at every patch of her bared skin, his anger only increased.

Hers too. He was being ridiculous and Sloan was close to fed up.

“Why are you wearing that?” he asked.

“Don’t we have a cover to maintain?” she asked, her voice coming out laden with impatience.

For a moment, his eyes had deepened, flashed with desire, but in an instant, they were back to furious.

“You shouldn’t have even been out there at all, Sloan.”

“Of course I should have been. We’re a team,” she said, exasperated that Adam wouldn’t acknowledge that.

“Yeah, we’re a team, a team that consists of me going out doing things and you being here,
safe
, waiting for me,” he said.

“Don’t be an ass, Adam,” she said.

“Don’t be stupid, Sloan,” he shot back.

She crossed her arms under her chest, an old habit from when she was younger that always came out when she was angry. For a moment Adam’s eyes snagged there, seeming mesmerized by the movement of her breasts.

The sight warmed her, but she wouldn’t allow it to dissuade her from her mission.

“And you don’t be stupid. We’re supposed to do this as a team, so when you go traipsing off in the middle of the night without telling me where, what am I supposed to do?” she asked.

“You’re supposed to fucking stay put,” he said.

“Good thing I didn’t,” she replied.

He narrowed his eyes, and Sloan figured that expression had made more than a few men falter, but she would not be intimidated by Adam Reins.

“I’m capable of taking care of myself, Sloan, but you don’t need to be out there, and certainly not dressed like that,” he said.

She frowned at him. “My attire. That’s the issue here?” she said.

“No. The issue here is that you’re supposed to stay put. I need you out of harm’s way, because Silver and Cassandra would fucking kill me if I let anything happen to you,” he said.

Sloan exhaled, suddenly deflated. Being with Adam had been the best experience of her life, had made her feel different, see him differently. Apparently he didn’t feel the same.

“Yeah, I guess good employees are difficult to come by,” she said.

He softened then, reached out to touch her, his fingers grazing against her arm.

“You could have gotten hurt, Sloan,” Adam said.

At the softness in his voice, Sloan felt the defensiveness instantly leave her. She reached out to him, curled her fingers against his chest.

“You too, Adam,” she said, allowing some of the worry she’d felt to seep into her voice, her expression twisting before she could stop it.

“I’m trained. You’re not. I won’t have you in danger,” he said, voice sterner now, though Sloan still heard some of the emotion from earlier.

“But, Adam, we’re a team. And it worked out—”

“This time. That won’t happen again, Sloan. Promise me, or I’ll have your sweet ass on a plane within the hour,” he said.

“And wreck the mission?” Sloan asked, blinking.

“Fuck the mission. Promise me, Sloan,” he said.

She saw the seriousness of his expression, the care behind it. “I promise,” she said.

He nodded tightly, and then brushed his lips against hers. The kiss was brusque, had almost no passion, but the emotion in it was undeniable, as was the emotion in his eyes. Sloan stood tall, stretching her body against his as she stood on tiptoe and brushed her lips against his throat.

His expression softened slightly, but his brows stayed furrowed when Sloan brushed her lips against the column of his throat again. His frown deepened as he watched her lift her hand to the thin strap of the nightgown she wore. She pulled the strap down her shoulder, her nipple puckering under the cool night air and Adam’s hot gaze.

“Sloan…” he said, trailing off as she plumped her nipple between her fingers.

“Adam…” she replied as she stepped backward to perch on the brick ledge that lined the path that led back to their room.

The stones were rough against her thighs, the air cool, Adam’s gaze intoxicating. So intoxicating that it drove Sloan to forget everything but the man in front of her. She lifted her leg and rested her foot on the stone, let her thighs fall open, the cool night air brushing against her hot pussy, making her squirm.

Adam watched her, and Sloan saw the instant he realized she was bare. He frowned, stepped closer, caging her body with his. He put his hands on her thighs, moved them up her skin, not stopping until he palmed her sex.

“What the fuck are you doing, Sloan?” he asked, his voice tight.

She lifted her other leg, dropped her thighs open wider, and pulled him closer as she cupped his hardening cock through his pants. “You can’t tell?” she murmured. “I need to work harder.”

She went quiet and fumbled with his pants until his cock was freed. She used one hand to stroke him, sure she would never get enough of touching him as she fished in his pocket. When she found the condom, she grinned and then made quick work of opening it and sliding it down his rigid length. Finished, she leaned back on her hands, eyes locked on Adam’s.

“Does that give you a clue?” she asked.

“Sloan,” he said as he lifted her, that single word full with frustration and passion.

“Ada—”

She cut off as he buried his cock inside her in one thrust and closed her eyes against the pleasure. She wrapped her legs around his waist and buried him deeper, leaving not even a millimeter between them.

“How do you do this to me?” he asked as he rocked inside her.

It was Sloan who should be asking this question. She was just Sloan Wakefield; there was no way she should be on a beach in Bali with Adam Reins inside her, but here she was. And thoroughly loving it.

She lifted open eyes that had drifted closed and met his, and the sight was enough to drive her over the edge. Adam hardened inside her and on a low grunt spilled himself into the condom. Sloan held him tight, both of them breathing hard, neither seeming to want to speak.

“Is anyone out there?”

Sloan’s eyes widened when she heard the voice that could only be Candy.

“Dirk, I thought I heard something,” she said.

Adam stood up straight, his cock slipping from her. He settled her nightgown around her hips, discarded the condom, and straightened his own clothes.

He nodded, and Sloan called, “Candy?”

“Sloan? Is that you?”

A moment later, Candy turned onto the path, her blond hair light under the moon. She smiled when she looked at Sloan and that smile got bigger when she glanced at Adam standing next to her.

“Told you there was someone out here, Dirk,” she said as her husband joined her and wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Sloan. Adam. Out enjoying the lovely evening?” Dirk said, laughing.

“Um…”

Dirk lifted a hand. “No need to explain. I understand. Me and Candy had the same idea,” he said conspiratorially, pulling Candy closer.

They kissed, and through some feat, Sloan managed not to laugh.

“Um…you have a nice night,” Sloan said, grabbing Adam’s hand and pulling him away.

“Oh, we will,” Candy said, breaking the lip-lock long enough to speak.

Adam and Sloan walked away quickly, and when they locked eyes, both of them started laughing.

T
he next night
Sloan looked at him, watching his every movement, letting her gaze leave him as he stepped into his pants and then pulled his shirt over his head. Ordinarily, he would have appreciated her appreciative glances, but now, he was completely focused.

“So you’re going?” she said.

“Yep. There’s a path at low tide,” he said.

“Do you think you’re the only one who knows about it?” she asked.

“Of course not,” he said.

She frowned, and Adam gripped her chin. “Your face is going to get stuck like that,” he said.

She frowned even deeper.

“Don’t you think…?”

“This is insane? Dangerous?” he supplied, figuring that after the run-in with Connell—God, he hated that name—Sloan would be on edge.

“No. Don’t you think I should come with you?” she said.

Fuck. Of all the things he had expected her to say, that was not one, and before she had even completed the sentence he was moving toward her.

“We talked about this, Sloan,” he said.

“Yes, but—”

“No. You should not come with me,” he said, his voice tight.

“I’m just saying…two heads are better than one and all that,” she said.

He looked down at her, her curves in another one of those sundresses, her wide eyes blinking. How could someone who looked so sweet be so fucking stubborn? “You’re out of your mind if you think I’m letting you go with me,” he said.

“Seth would,” she said, clearly throwing him bait.

He didn’t take it. “Seth’s a moron,” he replied.

Sloan smiled as she wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest, burrowing close to him.

“He has a good idea occasionally,” she said, her voice muffled, but he could hear the dreaminess in it.

Adam held her back. “This is one, or will be if you stay put,” he said.

“But we’re a team,” she said, her face still against his chest, though her protest wasn’t as spirited.

“Yeah. A team. Stay put,” he said.

She finally nodded her assent, and Adam went silent then, thinking, reflecting. He had no idea what would happen once they were back in Seattle and back to their regular lives, but he would treasure this time with her for the rest of his.

But for now, he needed to focus on finishing.

He reluctantly broke the embrace and he could tell she just as reluctantly let him.

“Two hours tops.”

“And don’t let anyone in,” she added.

He nodded and then headed toward the balcony.

“Take care of yourself, Reins,” she said as he again leaped off the balcony.

It was early, or late depending on your perspective, and the resort was quiet, tucked in for the night.

Adam moved quickly this time, deciding that speed was the most important aspect.

In any case, he wouldn’t be able to sell a story as to why he was headed in this direction, and if Sloan knew what was good for her, she wouldn’t make any more impromptu appearances. It was paramount that he get in and get out without garnering suspicion. And speed was the way to do that. So he moved at close to a flat-out run, mindful of the twisted branches and stones that might block his path. By the time he reached the beach, he could see the island clearly and see the opening that the path revealed.

He slowed his pace enough to be mindful of the slick rocks and he moved toward the island. It was probably being watched, at least it would’ve been if Adam were in charge, but he hoped that he might find some good fortune and that either Alistair was so confident in his position he wouldn’t take that most basic precaution, or that whoever he hired would not take it seriously and instead be sleeping or otherwise distracted.

Either way, he steadily headed to his destination, getting closer.

He reached it after about a ten-minute trek, and when he finally made landfall, he paused, took a moment to take in the surroundings.

Seth had said there was activity on the northwest side, so Adam started with that direction and moved through the beach and then the cover of trees.

He hadn’t packed any gear, not even night-vision goggles, not wanting to draw more suspicion than was absolutely necessary, but he would have loved to have some now.

Instead, he narrowed his eyes and stayed sharp, watching for anything that might confront him. He saw nothing but a few downed trees, some branches and roots, regular beach and jungle stuff.

After about five minutes, he looked back, stared at the ocean, aware that time was ticking.

He needed to find something, and quickly, or he’d have to abandon this. Adam couldn’t get caught out here with no way to return and leaving Sloan alone having to explain his absence.

So he moved even faster and then paused when his eyes caught something glistening in the moonlight. He slowed, approached it cautiously, and then realized it was a bolt of some sort.

A structure, Adam saw. He quickly moved around the perimeter of the structure, finding it relatively small, maybe twenty by twenty, not huge, but big enough to hold something important.

He circled again and, seeing no sign of anything, decided he would go for the front door.

It had been very quiet on his way over, quiet enough to make him suspicious but also quiet enough to reinforce the idea that Alistair took a lot of comfort in his location and used physical fortification as his primary source of defense instead of personnel.

Something Adam would use to his benefit.

He quickly traced his hands over the door and found a slide lock. It didn’t require a key, but wasn’t something that most people would be able to open, a good choice here, when it was unlikely that there’d be too many unwelcome visitors.

Adam made quick work of the lock and then slowly pushed the door in, making sure that it didn’t creak. The air in the room was somewhat stifled, telling Adam the room was full, but he didn’t hear any machinery.

So, storage.

Odd because that wasn’t Tremaine’s MO, but Adam had long ago learned not to discount his instinct. He made his way in and closed the door behind him, pausing long enough to prop it open with a rock. He should be able to get out, but he wanted to leave the place untouched and not arouse any suspicion.

After he closed the door, Adam hazarded pulling out his small penlight and moving it around the room.

“Bingo,” Adam whispered when he saw the stacks of plastic containers lining the walls.

He moved toward them, and careful not to disturb anything, he crouched down and opened the first. Adam looked through the documents, barely able to contain his enthusiasm.

Alistair looked to be a meticulous note-taker, and if Adam was right, these containers succinctly laid out an international drug-smuggling operation, one Adam knew would tie back to Tremaine. It was a treasure trove of information. He might get a bonus out of this, but if nothing else, he’d have bragging rights, and he couldn’t wait to have Seth bow down in the face of his greatness.

Adam couldn’t revel for long, though, because he heard a slight creak, and began to turn and then stopped.

For the second time in as many days, a weapon pressed against his back stilled him.