Annabel’s still glaring daggers at me which, I have to admit, turns me on. I like the idea of receiving her anger, soothing her. I like the idea of her jealous.
Way too much.
I don’t know what the hell I’m doing with this woman, but I’m in way over my head.
I probably just gave up my job for her, for one thing. And I don’t have the kind of job you can quit. You either retire, or you go out in a body bag. They don’t like loose ends in the CIA. I don’t think they’re going to fire me and let me be out in the world with everything I know.
In fact, I’m sure they won’t.
Of course, I have every means at my disposal to disappear permanently, so it’s not that big a worry.
The bigger concern is the magnitude of my attraction to her, and what I’m going to do about it. Even if I don’t lose my job over this, I don’t live the kind of lifestyle that allows for a relationship. Even more, I don’t even know if I’m safe for her to date.
Do werewolves attack people at full moons? That’s the lore. I’m certainly finding my aggression and sexual desires mounting each day we draw closer to the full moon.
I glance over at Annabel, whose jaw is set, eyes pinned to the road. “I’m sorry.” I use a low voice. “I won’t do it again.”
Surprise dances over her face followed closely by a pretty blush.
“I don’t have a sister fetish, I promise.” I reach over and squeeze her hand.
I think she wants to stay mad, but her lips tug up in a reluctant smile. And it’s incredible what that smile does to me. I’m suddenly high over our escape, adrenaline bringing me a joy I don’t usually allow myself to experience.
And touching her brings on an erection so hard, I have to shift in my seat to alleviate the discomfort.
Annabel-ever observant-glances down at it and back up at my face. Her smile grows.
“So, when are you going to tell me what in the hell is going on?” Sarah demands.
Right. Focus, Dune. Lives are at stake here.
Annabel turns in her seat to address Sarah. “Charlie and I work together. We had a mission in LA that might have been compromised.”
A low rumble reaches my ears, and I realize I’m growling. I cut off the sound just as Annabel turns to me curiously.
Sarah pulls Grady in tight against her, but the youngster pushes his mom back off.
“Are you spies?” he asks.
“Yes, sort of,” Annabel answers.
“So, the plane tickets-the trip to Disneyland-it was to get us safe? Why didn’t you just tell me?”
“I didn’t send the tickets.”
Sarah pales and yanks Grady against her, this time ignoring his struggle. “So, now what?” she asks in a shaky voice.
“I’m taking you somewhere safe,” I speak up. “And you’ll have to stay there until Annabel and I get things figured out, so it’s safe for you to go home.”
Annabel shoots me a grateful look that makes my dick throb.
I drive them to my cabin in the mountains. It’s the most secluded safehouse I have at the moment and a place I’d feel comfortable leaving Sarah and Grady alone. The only drawback-I don’t know if I can contain the monster inside me once I’m up there. And I sure as hell don’t know what will happen if I come dragging myself back naked and covered with blood when I’m done hunting.
I don’t even consider my biggest fear because I’m the kind of guy who refuses to surrender to worry. But fuck, if there’s any sign I’m a danger to these people, I’m going to have to leave them. Maybe even figure out a way to end my life which goes against every instinct in my body-I’m wired for survival at all costs.
Annabel
CHARLIE GETS quiet as he drives us up a dirt road winding up the mountain. Or maybe he’s always this quiet. It seems strange that I don’t know. I feel so close to him, and yet we haven’t spent that much time together-very brief snippets over the past few years as his handler, and now, today, that’s it.
The moon is half full, peeking through the trees as we wind higher. We arrive at a tiny, solitary cabin, tucked away from everything. It appears old and rustic, but there’s a satellite on the roof and inside is simple but comfortable. Grady and I walk around, taking in the place. The cupboards are already stocked with enough non-perishables to last a month. Charlie stopped at a convenience store on the way up to pick up basics like milk, eggs, fruit, and bread.
A desk is against the wall of the living room, wired with the latest high tech, government-issue equipment.
There’s only one bedroom.
“I’ll take the couch,” Charlie offers as if guessing where my thoughts are going. “You three can share the bed.”
I’m not sure why I find that thought so disappointing. What did I think, I’d be having more sex with Charlie with my sister and nephew a few feet away?
Hard no. Sigh.
Besides, we’re not on a date. We’re on a mission.
I’m not certain why Dune picked such an out-of-the-way place for a safehouse. “Is this where you were when you said you spent the night out of the city?”
He looks over from the refrigerator where he’s putting away groceries. “Yeah.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to be alone. And I like to… explore out here.”
Huh. Charlie Dune, mountain man. I had no idea, but it makes him all the more appealing.