Hunger (Seductors #2) (23 page)

“That sounds wonderful,” I purred, stroking his jawline. His lips parted at my simple touch. “But there is one problem with that.”

“Which is?” he asked, looking down at me in confusion. I slammed my knee hard into his groin at his words, releasing my arms from around his neck so he fell to the floor.

“That I don’t find you attractive in the slightest, you asshole!” I snarled, grabbing my coat and bag again. Oh, the satisfaction of watching him roll around on the floor in agony.

“J…J…Jade, don’t tell Oliver about this, please!” Brian called from the floor. “He’ll skin me alive.”

“You should have thought about that before you made a pass at me. Goodbye, Brian. I won’t be needing a reference from a slimeball like you.” With that, I left, slamming his door behind me.

Thank fuck that job was over.

I knew Oliver was in meetings all day, and I didn’t want to worry him while he was at work. He’d be showing up at my apartment in four hours anyway. He wasn’t going to take the news about Brian well, but at least he’d be happy that I quit.

Alicia would be taking some time off work due to a sudden illness hopefully in the next week. It might even work to my advantage. Oliver would need a replacement as soon as possible. I could offer my services until he found someone.

I was cooking Mexican food tonight. Oliver wanted to see some of my layers, and that was what I was planning to do. It was time to allow him to see parts of the real Jade, and her favorite food was Mexican.

I was preparing dinner when I got a call from Miles. He must have finished the searches I’d asked for.

“Hey,” I answered, holding the phone on my shoulder with the side of my face while I continued to get the prep done for tonight.

“Hi, Jade. Is now a good time to talk?”

“Sure, I’m alone.”

“Okay, so I’ve been able to eliminate a few other scientists from your list. I’m sending you all the information as we speak, but you only have three possible names now.”  

“Three? Miles how the hell did you manage that?”

“I looked into their expenditures. If you’re dealing with advances in nuclear weapons, you’re going to need space for testing at some point. Whether it be atmospheric, exoatmospheric, underground, or underwater, that all takes money, and a lot of it.”
Exoatmospheric…what?
Miles was such a nerd.

“But what if this core doesn’t even exist yet?”   

“They’d still need the space to test, Jade. Why else would they have made the machine? Do you want to know the three names that Kirkham Industries has bought or funded space for?”  

“Yes,” I muttered, mixing the sauce I was making.

“Dr. Dylan Reynolds is the first.” I wasn’t at all surprised to hear his name. “His space is underground. Kirkham Industries has owned it for over forty years, but I can’t pinpoint a location yet. Dr. Carlton has a space in Russia, which seemed odd to me, but maybe the land was cheaper. It was acquired five years ago, and Kirkham Industries only funded some of the money. The last name, Dr. Fellows, is linked closely to N.A.T.O. His space in Arizona was purchased by Kirkham Industries over thirty years ago.”

“And you think they are the only scientists capable of making this power core?”

“They all check out, Jade. They’re well known fusion experts and all have the equipment necessary to develop the power core. I can’t see how any of the other people on the list could achieve it when they don’t have the resources.”

“Why are you so damn smart?” I teased. Miles was a genius.

“If you find this power core, you do realize the impact it’s going to have, right?”

“What do you mean?”

“I was looking at the blueprints you stole months ago. The amount of mass these machines have. You’re looking at a reaction three times larger than any nuclear weapon ever produced. Jade, if this core is real, whoever owns it owns the entire world.”
Holy shit!
 

“Why are you telling me this?”

“If you can’t find the power core, our client wants Oliver Kirkham kidnapped and tortured until he confesses.”
No!
Oliver being tortured? I couldn’t stop the tears stinging my eyes. I wouldn’t let that happen. “Jade, this mission is unlike anything we’ve ever done before. You need to make sure you are completely focused. Everything is riding on this.”

“When did The Seductors become so greedy?”

“It’s evolution. Diamond necklaces and files aren’t enough for them anymore. They want more power, and with a steal like this, higher paying clients will take notice. The Seductors are becoming the undisputed leaders in our field.”

“You’re making it sound like we’re turning into the Secret Service,” I snorted, trying to keep the conversation light, when really, I was still reeling about Oliver’s fate if I didn’t find the power core.

“That wouldn’t be too far from the truth. We could easily match them.”

“Is that everything?”

“Alicia is being called back to headquarters next Friday. I’ve already started the paperwork on her medical records.”  

“Make the illness as nasty as you can,” I teased.

“Jade, I can’t give her a
real
illness,” he chuckled.  

“Shame,” I muttered, smirking to myself.

“If I find anymore information, I’ll send it over to you.”

“I only have three names to check. I don’t think you could do much more,” I giggled.

“You know what I mean, and Jade, please be careful.”

“I always am. Thanks, Miles,” I sighed before we both hung up.

I wasn’t surprised to hear his views on where he thought the Seductors were heading. I’d noticed how our clientele had changed over the last few years, and had sensed a movement toward the higher paying clients. It relieved me to know I had less than five years remaining on my contract. Who knew where they would be by that time. I was sure it wouldn’t be the same organization. Sonia had been hoping I would stay on after my contracted ended. It wasn’t uncommon for some top Seductors to stay on and coach new recruits to help hone their skills.  Sarah, the Seductor who found me in Indianapolis, had done just that. She still came to headquarters from time to time with her words of wisdom, but most of her involvement was done
behind
the scenes. Before Oliver, I would have jumped at the chance to stay on. Now I was counting down the time I had left.

Of course, I had the mission to complete first. Now that I knew Oliver would be kidnapped and tortured if I didn’t find the power core, I had no choice. I
needed
to find it. I had to keep him safe.

Chapter Fourteen

I had just finished getting ready when a knock came at my door. Oliver was always so punctual. After quickly ensuring that the table was all set for dinner, I took in my appearance in the mirror. I’d never looked more like the real Jade around him before, and wondered what he’d think of me in my tiny denim shorts and favorite black Guns and Roses T-shirt. I was a little nervous at seeing his reaction.

“Are you ever late for anything?” I giggled, opening the door to him. He was wearing faded jeans and a crisp black shirt. Christ, maybe I should skip dinner and take him right to bed.

“I’m never late for the important things,” he grinned as I widened the door so he could come in. I noticed he had an overnight bag in his hand.

“I see you came prepared,” I mused, motioning toward his bag. “Are you planning on leaving your toothbrush here for future visits?”

“Only if you do the same at my apartment,” he smirked, his eyes raking me in as he dropped his bag. “Guns and Roses, huh? I should have guessed.”

“You said you wanted to see some of my layers,” I pointed out. “This is one. I’m a total rock chick. This is my casual attire.”

A playful look crossed his face before he pulled me into his arms. “I like your casual look,” he murmured, crashing his lips against mine, gripping my ass roughly. “My favorite look on you is naked, though, but we can wait until after dinner if that’s what you want.” He expected me to decide if we had sex right now or not?
Jade, you’ve just spent three hours in the kitchen. You can wait an hour. Control yourself.  

“I don’t want to wait…” Oliver’s hands began to creep into my top. “But I’ve spent hours making dinner for you.” He stopped his attack, pulling back to gaze into my eyes.

“Let’s eat then. It smells amazing,” he beamed, pecking my lips. “This is a nice place.”

“It’s smaller than I would have liked, but New York prices are crazy.”

“You’re not wrong there,” he mused, still looking around.

The apartment wouldn’t have been my first choice, but it was close to Oliver; that was all that mattered. It was an opened plan with a light paint on the walls giving it a little color. The kitchen was compact, but that was all I needed. The single bedroom didn’t have the same effect as the apartment I’d been staying at in St. Petersburg, but it had a larger bed. What more did I need?

“The bedroom is the first door on the right.”

“And you’re telling me that because you want dinner
first
?” he teased, looking back at me. He could be such a cocky asshole sometimes.  

“I wasn’t sure if you wanted to put your bag in there or not, actually,” I countered with my hands on my hips. “I have some restraint.”  

“You do?” he gasped, acting shocked. Okay, it was a lie, but we
were
going to eat first. I was making that my main mission tonight.
No, Jade, you’re a Seductor. Your mission is to find that power core.
“Well, I don’t.”
      
   

“Yes, I’m aware of that,” I giggled, turning to check on the enchiladas in the oven.

“I brought some wine. I wasn’t sure what you were cooking, so I have red and white,” he said, holding up two bottles.

“That was very thoughtful. I decided on Mexican tonight, and made chicken enchiladas for us.”

“From scratch?” Oliver sounded impressed. I nodded, looking away shyly. “Is this you shedding some of your layers?” he whispered, wrapping his arms around me from behind.

“Yes,” I panted, feeling his lips brush against my neck. “I want you to know me. The
real
me.”

“I can see that now, Beautiful.” He sucked on my earlobe. “Just keep peeling those layers in your own time, though. I don’t want to put any pressure on you.” Forget the layers, I wanted to peel out of my damn clothes right now!

“Dinner
is
going to be ruined,” I said breathlessly, gripping the counter as his fingertips began to play with the button on my shorts. “Why don’t you pour us a glass of wine?”       

“That’s not going to keep me busy for long,” he mused, running his hand up my backside. “These shorts are driving me crazy. Do you have any idea how sexy your ass looks in them?”  

“Do you
want
this meal to be ruined?” I giggled. He smirked at me, moving away to pour the drinks.

Dinner was pretty tasty, in my opinion. Oliver cleared his plate, which was a good sign, too.

“What did you think?” I asked, getting up to take his plate.

“Your talents are endless. I’ve yet to find a fault in you, Beautiful.” I was glad I had my back to him so he couldn’t see my face. Faults—I was full of them. “Why don’t you leave the cleaning up until later?” he called, making me turn to look at him.

“I’m only loading the dishwasher. It won’t take long. I need to tell you something anyway, but you have to promise me you won’t get mad.”

“Why would I get mad?” he frowned, standing up and walking toward me.

“I quit my job today,” I whispered, not meeting his gaze.  

“You think I’d be
mad
about that? Jade, that’s the best news I’ve had all day,” he snorted, pulling me into his arms and tilting my chin so I had to look up at him. “Oh…there’s more, isn’t there?” he mused, concerned. “What happened, Sweetheart?”