Saving Zola (Sleeper SEALs Book 4) Read online

  She squirmed.

  He set a finger on her clit and flicked it.

  She reached for his thighs and grasped them, her fingernails digging into his skin. Suddenly the idea of wasting even one more moment of time being angry with him in this lifetime overwhelmed her. They’d lost so much time. She wouldn’t lose another second.

  She reached for his arms and tugged at him. “Now, Mike. Please.”

  He frowned. “In a rush?”

  “Yeah. Please, don’t make me wait.”

  Letting her pull him forward, he set his hands on both sides of her head and eased his lean body between her thighs.

  She still gripped his wrists as he lodged himself at her entrance. “Now, Mike,” she repeated. It seemed urgent that he be inside her.

  And then he was. He thrust in all the way to the hilt so fast it took her breath away.

  So full. So tight. So good.

  He groaned, his head tipping back as he held himself still. Seconds ticked by.

  She needed him to move. Every nerve ending in her body needed the friction only he could give. “Mike,” she pleaded.

  Slowly he pulled out, making her burn. In an instant she was right at the edge of an orgasm.

  Her mouth fell open. She couldn’t draw in the next breath.

  When he slammed back inside for a second time, she screamed as her pussy gripped him so tightly her vision swam. The orgasm was powerful. It consumed her. Pulse after pulse around his cock and through her clit at the same time.

  “Baby…” He was looking down at her, but she couldn’t see him clearly. His hands were in her hair, his chest pressed against hers. Then his lips were on her cheek, making their way to her ear. His breath made her shudder just like old times. “So. Fucking. Hot.”

  He moved then, dragging himself out and thrusting back in. But his mouth remained next to her ear where he continued to nibble and murmur. Some of the words she understood. Others were garbled.

  She grabbed his waist and held on as if her life depended on it. She hated the moments when he pulled out, separating them from each other.

  His words changed to a low moan as he came deep inside her, holding himself lodged tight until he lowered more of his welcome weight over her. His breath was heaving in her ear until he whispered through the inhalations. “I’m crushing you.”

  “Do not move an inch.” She needed the pressure. She couldn’t explain it, but she needed him blanketing her like this. It didn’t matter that she was panting in short breaths, he had to stay right where he was.

  He lifted his head first, a smile curling his lips. “I don’t really want to have to explain to a paramedic why my woman got asphyxiated in my bed.”

  She giggled. “That’s a bit dramatic.”

  He lifted a brow. “You can hardly speak because you don’t have oxygen.”

  “Fine.”

  Mike eased out of her and rolled to the side. She scrambled to stay with him, tucking her body against his, her leg between his, her breasts pressed to his side, her arm across his chest. Her head nestled against his shoulder.

  He wrapped his giant hand around her and held her close. “I’m right here, baby.”

  “For how long?” she asked his chest.

  “For as long as you’ll have me.”

  A tear slid from her eye. “We lost so much time.”

  “Hey, focus on the future.” He lifted her chin with his free hand until she met his gaze. “It was a blip on the radar. We have seventy more years together.”

  She forced a smile. “That’s optimistic.”

  He smiled back. “I won’t accept less. But first, I need to clean you up, and then we need to sleep. Before we can start that seventy-year path, we have a terrorist group to shut down. So we need to be fresh and alert tomorrow to make that happen sooner rather than later.”

  She nodded against him but hated when he eased away from her side, leaving her alone on the bed, on her belly.

  Her eyes were closed and she held a pillow under her face when a warm cloth touched her skin. “Spread your legs for me, baby.” He’d done the same for her yesterday. It had unnerved her then. She refused to let it bother her now.

  His caring touch made her fall even harder for him. She’d harbored feelings for him all these years so that it now came naturally, emotions flowing out of her once again like no time had passed.

  After he flipped off the lights, he slid into the bed beside her, drew the covers over them, and snuggled against her side, seemingly needing contact as much as she did.

  In moments she fell into a deep sleep.

  Chapter Twelve

  Mike leaned on his elbow and stared down at the woman next to him. She hadn’t moved an inch in eight hours. If he was honest, neither had he until he’d woken up several minutes ago.

  He didn’t want to disturb her yet. He wanted to enjoy looking at her smooth, pale skin. He had always loved her skin, and he let his gaze roam over her backside.

  The covers had shifted down in the night, and he took the chance of easing them farther until her ass was revealed. She didn’t stir. Her face was away from him, her hair a tangled mess of strawberry-blond curls. He inhaled the scent of her shampoo and fought the moan that lodged in his throat.

  Unable to stop himself, he gently set his fingers on her lower back and stroked her skin. Up and down her spine and then over the soft globe of her butt. He knew the moment she came awake by her soft sigh of contentment.

  He smiled as he eased a knee between her legs and let his hand roam lower to tease her inner thighs.

  She spread wider for him, squirming against the bed.

  He dipped one finger between her folds, finding her already soaking wet.

  His cock stiffened against her leg as he reached slowly into her pussy and then dragged his finger over her G-spot.

  She moaned into the pillow and turned her face toward him. “That’s one way to wake me up.”

  He grinned. “I considered a glass of cold water, but this seemed more humane.” He slid his finger out and circled her clit. When she started to roll to her side, he stopped her with the pressure of his arm against her ass. “Don’t. Stay where you are.”

  She stopped wiggling, but her breathing came heavier as she moaned against the pillow.

  He stroked a finger over her clit, loving the way it swelled at his touch. When he pressed against it, she flinched. Her body stiffened, her arms tightening around the pillow.

  He was so humbled by the fact that she was his. That she’d always been his. This gorgeous creature coming undone at his touch. As he slowly circled her clit, he couldn’t help speaking. “I still can’t believe you were never with another man. You were always so sure of yourself in high school, particularly when it came to sex and what you wanted from me.”

  She turned her head slightly to see him better. “No one was you.”

  He lowered his face, setting his forehead against hers and kissing her nose. For a moment, he pressed his finger against her clit and stilled.

  Her eyes rolled back, and she licked her lips. “No one made me ache for their touch like you do. No one looked into my eyes like you do. No one’s warm breath in my ear made me so wet I could come from that alone. No one was you…”

  He couldn’t breathe. Her words meant more to him than she could imagine. And he needed her even more than he had two minutes ago.

  He thrust two fingers into her next, making her gasp. And then he set up a pattern of thrusting into her and then sliding those fingers lower to stroke them in a V around her clit. Again and again he did this until she arched her back and called out his name.

  Her head lifted off the bed. She drew her knees up under her, pulling her thighs wider to give him better access.

  So fucking gorgeous.

  He continued to fuck her with his fingers. Faster. Harder. Her words rang out in his head over and over. No one was you. No one was you.

  She was panting as she set her forehead on the pillow, leaving her but
t raised and her back dipped. When she started rocking back into his thrusts, he nearly came against the mattress.

  Keeping his hand in place to continue what he’d started, he managed to rise off the bed and climb between her legs. He set his free hand on her lower back to steady her movements and watched as she came undone under him.

  Her pussy tightened around his fingers until she finally shattered. A rush of her arousal coated his hand as a low unidentifiable noise came from her throat.

  Before the pulsing slowed to a stop, he jerked his fingers out, grasped her hips, and thrust his cock into her warmth.

  “Yes,” she shouted.

  He held on tight and fucked her harder while she somehow managed to use her elbows to keep from rocking away from him.

  He slid his hands up to cup her breasts where they swayed against the sheet. As he pinched her nipples, she moaned again.

  Damn, she was responsive. He’d never seen a woman this quick to reach the peak of arousal. But then again, he’d never been with the perfect woman before. One whom he was so in sync with that they didn’t know where one ended and the other began.

  No. That wasn’t true. He’d been with her one time. And he had never forgotten the feeling.

  His thoughts scattered as his cock grew stiffer. He gritted his teeth to keep from coming too fast. He wanted her to come again with him, and he smoothed one hand down from her tit to her clit to tease the little nub into coming again.

  She was right with him, her body tightening with every thrust. The soft noises coming from deep in her throat grew closer together. He held back. Waiting for her. Fucking in and out of her while hanging on by a thread.

  Finally, she stopped moving, her entire body rigid with her release, and he let himself go at the same time, spending himself deep inside her until there was nothing left.

  He wrapped an arm around her, causing them to both fall to one side when he could no longer hold himself up.

  Gasping for air, he brushed her hair from her face and kissed the sweet spot behind her ear. “There are no words,” he whispered.

  Except there were words. He just wasn’t sure she was ready to hear them.

  * * *

  An hour later they were showered and dressed and back in the car. As soon as they were on the highway, Mike called Lambert.

  He picked up on the first ring. “You safe?”

  “Yes. Back on the road. Heading north.”

  “Good. I don’t like what I’m hearing. Intelligence suggests the terrorists are restless. Pissed. Regrouping. Planning.”

  “Well, they won’t be able to find us.” Mike stiffened, gripping the steering wheel. He shot Zola a glance, finding her tight-lipped, her eyes wide.

  “Let’s hope, but keep your phone handy. I’ll update you when I hear more.”

  “’Kay.”

  “Why?” Zola mumbled beside him.

  He grabbed her hand. “Why what?”

  “Why is someone after me? This is insane.”

  “I don’t know, babe, but we’re going to find out and stop them.”

  She twisted her body to face him more fully. “Someone wants me dead, Mike. Someone might kill you while trying to get to me.” She ran a hand through her hair.

  How did she suddenly get so frantic? “Zola, babe, you’re not going to die.” He squeezed her hand and dragged it closer. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

  Her voice rose. “You can’t know that.”

  “It’s what I was hired to do. I’m pretty good at my job.” He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “I was trained by the best.” He attempted to wink at her.

  She groaned. “Don’t give me some SEAL crap. Everyone can be killed.”

  “Not me. I’ve defied death several times in fact.” He pumped out his chest in an exaggerated effort to soothe her. When that didn’t work, he sobered. “Listen, we’re going to figure this out. Let’s go through those three cases again.”

  He didn’t honestly believe rehashing the files of the three men she’d helped put in jail would bring them any closer to the answers, but it would give her something to put her mind on instead of the danger she was in.

  She tugged her hand free of his, crossed her arms, and slouched in the seat. “Fine. Let’s talk. Case number one is Saabiq Aziz. Infiltrated the States on a student visa in 2010 and never left. He’s got ties to ISIS.”

  Mike nodded. “Right. I don’t think it’s him. Who was the second guy again?”

  “Mohammad Johansson. American born. Caucasian. Changed his first name and converted to Islam in his early twenties when his sister was killed in the bombing at the Boston marathon. And then there was—”

  “Wait,” he interrupted her, “go back. Something’s odd about that one. More so than the other two I mean. His sister was killed by Islamic militants, so he decided to become one? Isn’t that a little off?”

  She blew out a long breath. “Yeah. You gotta understand, Johansson was a little off. I mean, you do realize every person who plans and executes a mass murder is a little off. Who could possibly begin to understand what goes on in their minds?”

  “What was his reasoning? Do you know?”

  “Apparently, he was so furious when his sister died that he began to research Islamic beliefs and somehow got so roped in that he eventually joined their cause and was convinced the reason his sister died was because she wasn’t a believer.”

  “What the actual fuck?”

  “Yeah. Since she didn’t follow the teachings of Islam and pray to Allah, she deserved to die that day. I told you this man wasn’t right in the head.”

  Mike tapped the steering wheel, feeling like this guy was the key. What was his goal? “And he was convicted, right?”

  “Yes. He was a copycat, using the same online magazine to build a bomb and then detonating it in the mall two years ago. Twelve people died. He’s in for life without parole.”

  “And his family? Where are they?”

  “In hiding. They lost both their children. They don’t even speak to reporters.”

  Hmm. His mind raced. “If you lost both kids, one to one side of Islamic extremists and the other to the enemy, what would you do?”

  “Commit suicide?” she suggested.

  “Or seek revenge on anyone you could.”

  She sighed. “You think it could be his parents?”

  “I think we don’t rule anyone out.” He glanced at her to find her chewing her bottom lip. “And your father? He has worked hard to ensure people like Mohammad and Saabiq are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in civil courts.”

  “So my dad voted in favor of stiffer punishment, and I’m a prosecutor…”

  “Exactly.” Mike reached for his phone and dialed Lambert.

  “Dorsen.”

  “Got an idea. Look into the parents of Mohammad Johansson. He was one of the cases Zola tried and convicted. The mall bombing two years ago.”

  “On it. What makes you think they’re involved?”

  “Smells fishy.”

  “You got it. Later.” Lambert hung up.

  Mike dialed Tex.

  “’Bout time you called. I’ve been worried.”

  “Yeah, sorry. We’ve been on the move.”

  “Guess the guys you’re working for found nothing at my house. I’ve been watching the surveillance. It’s still secure. Your belongings are safe inside. I’d send a cleaning service over, but I wouldn’t want to risk anyone’s life unnecessarily.”

  “Don’t. Leave it. I’ll go back when this is over.” He glanced at Zola. “Maybe I can finish my vacation in peace.”

  Tex chuckled. “Let’s hope so. How’s Zola holding up?”

  “She’s right here. You’re on speaker.”

  “I’m hanging in there,” Zola told Tex.

  “Good. You’re in good hands. Stick with Dorsen.”

  “Plan to.” She smiled at Mike, her face warming him from the inside out.

  “Listen, Tex. Hate to
ask, but can you do some digging for me?”

  “Of course. You don’t even have to ask. Give it to me.”

  “My contact is on it too, but I know you’re the better hacker. And he works slightly more above the law than you.” Mike chuckled, knowing Tex would get more information and faster than anyone working even in a clandestine capacity for the CIA.

  Tex laughed again. “Nothing is too hidden for me to get to it. What do you need?”

  “Kid named Mohammad Johansson. Zola was on the team with the DA that prosecuted him for the mall shooting two years ago.”

  “Yep. I remember him. He’s in for life, isn’t he?”

  “Yes. But I have suspicions about his parents.”

  “Think they might want revenge?”

  “That’s where my mind is, yes.”

  “On it. I’ll call you when I have something.” Tex hung up.

  Mike took the next exit and pulled into the parking lot of a fast food chain. “This okay? I’m starving, and I don’t want to take too long.”

  “Of course.” She unbuckled her seat belt, but her hands were shaking, and before he opened his car door, he reached for her. Wrapping a hand around the back of her neck, he drew her face closer to his. “You okay?”

  “Sure.” She nodded with too much force.

  “I know it’s overwhelming, but we’ll get to the bottom of this and catch whoever is after you. Trust me?”

  “Seems like I don’t have to.” She gave him a half smile. “Looks like you have friends in all the right places who have you covered.”

  “True. But I’m the one next to you with the gun.”

  “And I haven’t forgotten that for a moment.”

  “Okay. Let’s go eat.” He pulled her head closer and kissed her lips briefly before releasing her.

  Damn, she was fantastic.

  * * *

  Zola couldn’t stop fidgeting. She’d managed to eat a chicken sandwich and drink a soda, but the fries made her stomach roil. The sandwich was like cardboard in her mouth, but she forced it down.

  Now they were back in the car and moving west again. “What difference does it make where we stop? I mean, do we really need to keep running? No one knows where we are, so why does it matter if it’s here or Chicago?”