Targets Entangled (13 page)

“Yes, yes, yes,” Ferrin chanted, not letting up the pace or the pressure. She squeezed her eyes shut when the pleasure became almost too much. It was then that she felt the base of his shaft swell and realized that he’d obtained his release as well. It wasn’t long before she was draped on top of him, unable to move. “Oh yes.”

Daegan’s chest shook from laughter but she didn’t have the energy to nudge him for it. His arms came around her body, capturing their warmth and she snuggled deeper into him. His cock was still inside of her and she didn’t want to move in case he slipped out. She wanted him to remain inside of her as she took a moment to actually catch her breath.

“I know you don’t want to hear this, but our window of opportunity to go ashore is diminishing by the minute.” Daegan stroked her back, lulling her into that relaxed after-sex state that she was coming to adore. His words did make her wonder if he was more worried about their time ashore or if he just didn’t want her to get too comfortable here. Seeing as how he was the one who sought her out, she would go with the first choice but that still didn’t mean she had to like it. “Let me clean up and then we’ll head out.”

“Fine,” Ferrin breathed out in a moan, wincing slightly as she fell to his side and his cock slid out of her. She hoped he didn’t see her flush at the thought that she’d ridden him like some kind of an uninhibited wild cowgirl. She would definitely be sore the rest of the day and tomorrow morning. She smiled at the thought, but something made her think of Tami and she rubbed her face in confusion. “I need to go to my cabin for a change of clothes.”

“Hey.” Daegan’s voice came from above and she opened her eyes to see his handsome five o’clock shadow. His hands were on either side of her head and he leaned closer until their lips were inches apart. His woodsy fragrance surrounded her as she felt the air shift and her mood lighten. “She’d have wanted this for you.”

Ferrin smiled and she nodded, knowing he was right. It didn’t ease the pain of losing her friend, but it did put things into perspective. If Chuck did kill Tami, the federal authorities had him in custody and he would be served the justice he deserved. Ferrin almost wished she could have spoken to Chuck herself, wanting answers that no one else seemed to know or at least not want to tell her. The man she knew couldn’t have committed such a heinous crime, but wasn’t that the same sentiment everyone said about other criminals after they just snapped?

“Get your ass moving so we can do something else that will keep your thoughts occupied.” Daegan spoke as if he had something in mind, but Ferrin figured he meant sightseeing. What else was there to do in Panama? It wasn’t as if he had his motorcycle with him. She ignored the sparkle in his blue eyes as he stood and pulled her along with him. “Quick shower, change of clothes, and then we’ll be on our way.”

Ferrin allowed Daegan to pull her up from the bunk and back into the bathroom. He started the shower and quickly disposed of the condom. When he drew her back under the spray, she wondered just how quick he thought they would be. His lips captured hers once more and she suddenly didn’t care if they went inland. Anyway, what could they possibly do that would get her adrenaline pumping more than having sex with him?

*

“I’ve changed my
mind again,” Ferrin announced with trepidation, reaching for the clip on her harness. She must have been certifiable to think she could do this to begin with. There was no way in hell she would survive zip lining over Panama. Damn Daegan and his persuasive techniques. “I can just read about the rainforests.”

“But this way,” Daegan said, reaching for her hand and holding her cold fingers in his as he gave her a not so reassuring smile, “you get to experience it up close and personal. If I thought you would physically get hurt, I would never have signed us up to do this. Trust me when I say there is no better feeling than flying above a beautiful scene with the wind in your face as you soar in the air.”

“I’m pretty sure I can get that from a bicycle.” Ferrin gave him a sideways look when he laughed for she didn’t think this was a funny situation. They’d spent a couple of hours playing tourist and she could appreciate the beauty of the land. The city itself was just like that of any other city with a tropical climate…and yet there was a surreal feeling of being in the middle of an island with the open blue skies. The majority of the city was surrounded by tropical rainforests located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. She should have stuck with the city and yet here she was, harnessed above treetops when she should have been down on the ground looking up at their beauty. “Have we checked the time? This might take too long and I’ll miss my duty section formation.”

“I made sure we had plenty of time.” Daegan was harnessed like she was, but Ferrin was up next and had already been clipped to the five-sixteenth inch galvanized aircraft cable. The woman before her had hooted and hollered her way along the suspended cable high off the jungle floor, but Ferrin didn’t think she’d be able to open her eyes to enjoy it. “Look at me, Ferrin. I’ll unhook you now if you don’t want to do this. But think back to when you were on the back of my bike, the wind against your face, and the city lights streaming by as we rode down the street. It’s a freedom that is indescribable and if there is any time in your life that you need to feel alive…it’s now.”

The memory of that ride was something that Ferrin did relive over and over in her mind. Maybe it was because she never thought she’d get to experience it again, but he was here with her once again. He would be behind her on the same cable and he wouldn’t allow anything to happen to her. She knew that. She believed that. And damn if she didn’t want to feel more alive as he’d just described. She nodded her head and gave the best smile she could and hoped it didn’t come across as a grimace.

“Let’s do it. To hell with safe and sane.”

Daegan’s blue eyes contained the excitement that overcame her. She was experiencing what he felt on an everyday basis. He lived his life on the edge and she could see where it was addicting as hell, but she only wanted one more taste. She was here, harnessed in, and ready to feel as if she were untouchable. She needed that…only this one go around.

“I’ll be right behind you,” Daegan said, stepping away and permitting the safety guide to do his job as he verified her safety harness was tight, undamaged, and that her carabiners were tightened in the closed position. “You’ve got this.”

Ferrin listened to the instructions, her heart racing so fast that it was whooshing blood through her ears. Her palms were perspiring and her senses heightened to where the world was vivid in a way she’d never experienced. Before she knew it, the guide had radioed her release and she was soaring through the air. She forgot her fear once she was able to open her eyes and was astounded by the vivid emerald color surrounding her. The sky was a rainbow of vibrant hues from the setting sun. There was the striking blue that matched Daegan’s eyes, kissing the explosion of pinks, reds, and oranges that radiated out of the west. The clouds appeared like balls of cotton outlined in silver and gold. They were so close that she raised a hand, as if stretching another inch would allow her to touch them. The trees were transformed into a tangible living green like she’d recognized only once before when she admired one of Rembrandt’s early paintings of the trees lining the Keukenhof garden canals. She couldn’t help but yell out, her exuberant voice carrying in the wind. She felt more alive than she’d ever remembered feeling before and much to her disbelief, it was over before she wanted it to be.

“There’s that smile,” Daegan said, coming in for a landing on the platform behind her as she was still being helped out of her harness with the assistance of the safety operator. “It’s a rush, isn’t it?”

“It was the most incredible experience of my life.” Ferrin finally stepped out of the equipment and she placed her hands against her cheeks to cool them off. “Did you see the wildlife? You could actually see the colorful birds in the trees. It was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.”

“Better than being on the back of my bike?”

Daegan’s implied meaning cut through loud and clear. Her cheeks flushed for a different reason now, remembering what it was like to have him between her legs and her arms wrapped around his massive chest. That was a special circumstance and one that made her body react in a decidedly diverse way, although no less exciting. Whether it was from the adrenaline rush she just had or she’d simply gone crazy, she stepped forward and leisurely slid her hand up his chest to wrap around the back of his neck. She slowly drew him toward her until her lips were against his ear.

“I’d like to have a session on that bike of yours someday,” Ferrin whispered, her heart racing just as fast for how daring she was being as it had been on the descent of the zip line. “Now that would be exhilarating, don’t you think?”

Ferrin startled when Daegan’s arm came around her waist and yanked her lower body until they were flush against each other. She lost her breath and before she knew it, she was the one caught in his web of desire. How was it possible to be this turned on, and in public no less? Her gaze collided with his when he pulled back slightly, their foreheads touching.

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, my little siren,” Daegan murmured, the sexual tension between them mounting once again. He slowly released her, although that did nothing to the arousal that flowed through them both. In fact, she felt a loss of oxygen as if she’d just run a marathon while he appeared calm and collected. “It’s time for us to be heading back to the ship.”

Ferrin gave a quick peek around their surroundings and saw a few people glancing their way. She could just imagine what they looked like if she was feeling like she’d just finished having sex. Her hand automatically went to her hair, which was pulled back at the base of her neck in its usual way. A few strands were loose but nothing too bad. She pulled down her blue Navy T-shirt into place and as Daegan set his hand on her lower back to guide her toward their destination, she couldn’t help but look back at the zip line with a smile. She didn’t think she’d ever do something like that on her own so she wanted sear it into her memory. Coming off of such a high was more than a bit jarring, but she didn’t regret spending this time with Daegan. He’d given her exactly what she needed and now it was time to return to her safe and familiar routine with only her memories to keep her warm.

‡

“S
he actually put
that shit in my bunk. I hope that makes you fuckers happy.” Laughter could be heard around the team ready room as Daegan walked in and went straight for the coffee. He left the heavy steel security hatch open since Starr had been right behind him in the main passageway; otherwise protocol said the hatch had to remain locked tight due to security regulations. Each of the team members had a SIPRNet capable laptop located at their assigned positions around the team conference table beyond the myriad of classified documents that required proper storage. Two days had passed by since he’d taken Ferrin ashore and now that she was back on her regular duty rotation, they’d had to work around each other’s schedules. She’d been relieved when Starr had given Chief Jackson permission to put Ferrin back on rotation. He felt better having her with him on their off time and she was sleeping in her cabin during the morning hours, so her bunkmate wasn’t given any real indication that Ferrin and Daegan were repeatedly fraternizing. It was a win-win for everyone involved. Trigger didn’t seem to be having as much of a good time though. “Starr said she found a pile of dog shit outside of her cabin and she knows damn well it was one of you fucking douchebags, but instead she comes after me. Ha-ha…that’s some funny shit, guys.”

Stick was wiping away the tears from under his eyes from laughing so hard, but it was Gunny’s smirk and sideways look toward Doc that said it all. Doc was the culprit. He found the feud between Starr and Trigger amusing and he was stoking the fire for the team’s entertainment. Stick’s reaction was all that was needed to egg Doc on.