Неизвестный - 06. Honor Under Siege

“All right,” Valerie whispered softly.

She stood and unbuttoned her blouse, unhooked her bra, and let them fall to the floor behind her. She unzipped her jeans, pushed them down along with her panties, and stepped out of them. Watching Diane watch her, she was surprised to feel her body quicken when for so long the only sensations she’d been aware of were fatigue and desperate sadness. She turned off the light and slipped into bed. Then she did something she’d never done before. She pulled Diane on top of her and guided Diane’s hand between her thighs.

“Please make love to me. I need you.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Monday

“Any response from Lawrence on your request for a meeting?” Matheson inquired via his disposable cell phone.

“Not yet.”

Matheson sipped his coffee and watched the traffic on Main Street through the diner window in the small seaside town. A waitress slid a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of him. He made eye contact when he thanked her.

“You’re very welcome.” The brunette offered him a sultry smile as she lingered by the red leather booth made shiny by years of bodies slipping in and out.

He held her gaze for a few seconds, noting the invitation in her eyes while surveying her full breasts and curvaceous hips. His penis lengthened, reminding him that it had been some time since he’d satisfied his needs. He made a mental note to take care of that, then looked away, dismissing her from his thoughts. “Why do you think your operative is ignoring your direct order?”

“Because she’s one of our best,” the man snapped. Then, as if regretting his outburst, he added in a conciliatory tone, “The leak came too soon after her report to me for her not to be suspicious, but I didn’t have a choice. If Special Forces hadn’t moved on the compound so quickly, I might have been able to find another way to warn you, but Roberts’s team was far more effective than we anticipated. I didn’t have time for a cover story, and I didn’t think you’d enjoy captivity.”

“It’s never wise to underestimate the enemy,” Matheson said mildly, spearing a fluffy mound of egg. “It’s unfortunate that eliminating her will cost us an inside link to several of our primary targets, but the longer she stays alive, the greater the likelihood you’ll be compromised.”

“I’ve warned her she’s in danger, but she won’t agree to a meet.” “You’re not using the right enticement.” “What do you suggest?”

Matheson told him, disconnected, and punched in another number. “He has forty-eight hours to take care of his mess, then we’ll clean house ourselves, starting with him.”

“Yes sir. It’s a pleasure to serve you, sir.”

“Valerie?” Diane called urgently in the dark. The bed beside her was warm, but empty. The nightmare of the past few weeks instantly closed in around her, and she felt as if she were smothering. Bolting upright, she gasped, “Oh God.”

“I’m here.” Valerie hurried to the side of the bed and pulled Diane into her arms. “I found some clothes I’d left here last month, and I was trying not to wake you while I dressed.”

“Where are you going?”

“A briefing with Cameron.”

Diane held her tightly, running her hands over Valerie’s back. She wore only a snug tank top and panties. “You’re cold. Go finish dressing.”

Valerie pulled the covers back and slid underneath. “I frightened you. I’m sorry.”

Diane shook her head. “Just for a second. I wish you didn’t have to go.”

“I’ll be back.” Valerie stretched out above Diane and kissed her throat. “I wouldn’t leave now except I might be able to help.”

“You won’t do anything foolish, will you?”

Valerie laughed softly. “There are times I think my whole life might have been foolish.”

“No,” Diane said with certainty. She feathered her fingers through the short hair at the base of Valerie’s neck. “You’re the most remarkable woman I’ve ever met.”

“Diane,” Valerie murmured, kissing her deeply. When Diane tightened her hold and strained beneath her, wrapping both legs around the back of Valerie’s thighs, Valerie immersed herself in the heat pouring off Diane’s body. Diane’s passion was like nothing she’d ever felt. The fire burned effortlessly, searing into those dark, barren places where she’d learned to hide her feelings, not realizing that eventually that which was buried, died. Desperate not to lose the connection, Valerie tightened her grip on Diane’s upper arms, digging her fingers into the firm, pliable flesh. When Diane moaned, she instantly pulled away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“No. More.” Diane dragged Valerie’s head back down, her fingers twisting through Valerie’s hair. She pressed her mouth to Valerie’s ear. “You can’t hurt me. Not by touching me. I’m dying to have you inside me.”

Valerie sobbed out a cry of need and wonder. She pushed herself down until her face was pressed to Diane’s stomach, then she cupped Diane’s breast with one hand and filled her with the other. She squeezed and rolled Diane’s nipple as she pushed into her, higher and deeper, thrust after thrust.

“God,” Diane gasped, arching frantically to meet each stroke. “I don’t want to come but you’re going to make me.”

“Yes,” Valerie whispered urgently. She kissed her way lower, gliding her tongue over soft skin and trembling muscles and into the fragrant heat. She hummed as her lips found Diane’s clitoris and she licked lightly.

“Oh no,” Diane pleaded. “Don’t make me come so soon.”

“I want you,” Valerie whispered, before sucking her even more firmly.

Diane gripped the sheets and pushed down hard around Valerie’s fingers as her clitoris swelled to fill Valerie’s mouth. “So good, so wonderful, so… oh, oh I’m…”

Valerie watched Diane’s face reflect the pleasure that rippled around her fingers and pulsed between her lips, and thought she’d never seen anyone as beautiful. She didn’t stop caressing her, inside and out, until Diane murmured a weak protest and twisted away.

“Love,” Diane whispered. “I won’t be able to walk today if you don’t stop.”

Tenderly, Valerie placed a delicate kiss at the apex of Diane’s sex, then rested her cheek in the hollow adjacent to her hipbone. She continued to fondle her breast, smiling as Diane’s mouth curved in obvious enjoyment. “That’s what you say, but that’s not what your body is telling me.”

“My body is greedy.” Diane gazed down through heavy lidded eyes. “Insatiable, in fact, for you.”

“Really?” Valerie kissed low on Diane’s belly, then nuzzled her face a little lower. “I can handle that.”

“Oh, I know you can. Take your clothes off and come up here first,” Diane murmured. “I want you, too.”

Valerie shed her tank and panties and slid into Diane’s embrace, easing her swollen center against Diane’s leg. She kissed her lingeringly, slowly rocking against her. “I only have a minute.”

“Can you come this way?”

“I think so, if you… help me.”

“Anything.”

“Play with my breasts,” Valerie said thickly, already sliding faster up and down Diane’s thigh.

“You’re so wet. So beautiful.” Diane pulled on Valerie’s nipples. “Does it feel good, darling? Rubbing against me like that? Getting me all wet? Will you come for me?”

“Oh, yes. I’m almost…almost,” Valerie gasped. “Kiss me. Kiss me…oh god, I’m so close.”

“Soon,” Diane breathed, capturing Valerie’s mouth and squeezing her breasts rhythmically. As Valerie’s motions grew more frantic, Diane plunged her tongue deeper, matching Valerie’s frenzied thrusts. Sensing Valerie struggling to orgasm, Diane drove her hips up and forced her leg more tightly against Valerie’s clitoris. “Harder, darling. Press yourself har—”