Racing the Tide Read online

  Silence. He tried to calm down, but his heart was racing too fast, slamming against his rib cage. If he failed here, he didn’t know what he would do. His whole life looked to implode again and it hurt more than words could say.

  “For what it’s worth, I am truly sorry,” Nils began, his eyes taking on a further burden. “I know this must cut to the bone, Cole, but damn it, I wasn’t the one who kidnapped that child and is blackmailing the family. And if I was to do such a thing, ever create and release special source code, the flood gates would open. You know that. No. I just can’t do it. If you say fuck the future, it’s guaranteed to fuck you. It goes against all that I stand for. Perhaps get them to see reason. Do what everyone else does in the bitcoin hacker world—a quick smash and grab. It’s worked a few times. Worth a try.”

  Cole stood, defeated, his brain reeling with an anguish he tried to hide. Think. But he had no more persuasive cards in his arsenal.

  Nils stood. “Okay. I hope in time you can see past this, that we can remain friends. That you will see I was right. Go after them. Fight these men on their home turf. Do what you do best.”

  Cole straightened, his resolve strengthening. They were on their own now. “A pretty speech isn’t going to fix this or bring Sara home,” he said, bitterness lacing his words.

  Nils winced. Cole knew it wasn’t his fault, but his refusal to help hurt. Big-time.

  “I know you’re upset, I admit I would be too. But I have to stand firm. There’s a thin line between good and evil these days—thinner than it’s ever been. I can’t cross it, even for you.”

  Cole heard the release of anger in his tone. “That’s it, then.”

  Nils grimaced, his lips pressed into a thin line. This was costing him as well.

  Cole walked away slowly in the direction of the truck, trying to see past his next move of planning a bug in the men’s room at Chang’s. When he caught sight of Gabby’s face through the windshield, he gave her a single shake of his head.

  He joined her in the cab, his eyes drawn to her lovely face, pain lancing him when he found it filled with worry, a sharp crease burrowing between her eyebrows while she chewed on her lips. The lips he had lost himself in only moments ago. It seemed like forever now, the sight a pure aphrodisiac. He reached over and drew her to him, rougher than he intended. Took that beautiful concerned face between the palms of his hand and claimed a kiss of those perfect pink lips. The effect startling, satisfying, essential, the electrical current between them bursting into flames.

  He pressed harder, seeking the warmth within. His blood heated red-hot, coursing under his skin, tightening his cock until it felt about to burst free from his jeans, hard as steel. A moan. A gasp. The outside world dropped away, making only this moment, this second, all that mattered.

  She softened into him across the annoyance of the center partition between the seats. He wanted to drag her right up close to him, push into her, fill her with himself. He was lost in her, grasping a full breast and finding the nipple hard, budded. The warmth of the pliant flesh sent him reeling. God, he wanted her. Wanted to have her stretched naked beneath him, wet for him. Wanted into the very core of her. Make me forget.

  “Fuck, woman,” he murmured against her lips, “I have to have you. Now.” Their breaths mingled, heating the air around them, obscuring the outside world as moisture formed, clouding over the windows. It ran down the glass in rivets, like the tears of the world.

  His hands pulled at her clothing until she began to help, shucking off her shoes, jeans and panties in one frantic movement. He unbuckled his belt and pulled down the zipper, yanked a condom from his pocket. She tore it from his hands and before he could get his jeans and boxers completely off, she was on top of him, centering herself over him, grasping his cock with one hand, rolling the condom on and thrusting him into her pussy. He slid inside, pushing past the slick, tight entrance to thrust up into her, pulling her down as far as he could, burying himself balls-deep inside her tight warmth.

  “Oh, my God,” he moaned, his cock straining for sweet release, his head swimming with the quickness of being inside her. He’d dreamed of this moment since he’d first laid eyes on her. He lunged into her, burying his face in her fragrant hair, working his hands over her naked breasts, pushing her bra cups down to make them jut out farther until she moaned against his mouth, wetness flooding her channel.

  His body wasn’t his own, his need powerful. He forgot everything else, where they were, what was going on. He was rough, rougher than he had ever been with a woman. His hot cum rushed up from inside his balls, tingling and seeking release. Raw. Like he had never known. Harder than he had ever been.

  “I’m coming—” he growled, tugging on her nipples, reaching down and rubbing on her swollen clit, wanting her to reach orgasm with him.

  He sucked one tightly budded nipple into his mouth, drawing hard and eliciting more sweet moans. He took a deep breath, his lungs about to burst as he forgot to breathe. The fragrance of sex filled the cab, their odors mingling.

  “I’m almost there,” she shouted, slamming herself down on to him over and over, her breasts bouncing with each impact, her pussy squeezing him tight. A final thrust and they collapsed against each other, into each other, breath harsh and resounding in the confining space.

  An alarm went off nearby, blasting through the thick moisture-laden air. He reached around Gabby and turned off the offending electronics, the action causing her reddened breasts to press up against his chest. He felt her heartbeat, precious life coursing through her body, sending signals right back down to his cock. Sweet Jesus, help me, I want her again. Right now. He grabbed hold of himself with great difficulty, coming out of the madness that had descended. He remembered where they were and regret stung his soul. What the hell had he been thinking? “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. Fuck, this isn’t the time or place for this. This is wrong on so many levels.”

  Gabby looked at him, the same height as him on his lap. Her eyes searched his, their depths bluer and the gold speckles shinning. She swallowed. He wanted to kiss his way down that slim column again, kiss every square inch of her. In a proper bed. He pressed his lips together. He’d forgotten himself, forgotten that this was impossible. He could never take that chance again. Never let a woman in too close. And all his instincts screamed that Gabby would be that one, if anyone could. He had to protect her. From himself.

  Chapter Five

  Day Three: 9:12 p.m.

  A line had just been crossed and realization hit Gabby, hard. Can’t take it back now. She stared into Cole’s soulful brown eyes as he expressed his regret without needing to say a word, his cock still hard within her as she straddled his lap, the evidence still apparent between them.

  Cole had wanted this as much as she did. She had no regrets for having jumped on him. Lust had overtaken them. The heat and passion she could see in his eyes, feel in his body, touch if she but reached down between her legs and grasped where their bodies joined into one, all had screamed his need. Her need.

  Now, he was pulling away. Mentally, if not physically. Of course, he was right. Not the time nor place. But still, hurtful. And wanting each other, it wasn’t that wrong, certainly not the federal case he was making of it. But she should have known better. This kind of thing only leads to heartache. Fuck, Gabby, get your mind back on the case. It might even be easier now to do that with insta-lust out of the way. Maybe…

  “Ah, I have to move,” she said. He grasped her waist and helped her back into her seat as easy as if she were a child. His strength astonished her. It was an advantage, when she thought of her weak weasel of an ex. Weak in every way. Damn, don’t go there, she cautioned herself. Enjoy one moment for a change. She donned her panties and jeans, rearranging her bra and T-shirt.

  Just breathe. In and out. She swiped at the passenger window with her forearm. The moisture at least had blocked the view. She caught sight of an eagle wheeling in the somber gray sky above the graveyard of tombs and
trees and flowered paths, this whispering oasis in the heart of Vancouver. The sight of the magnificent bird eased her. Centered her. And didn’t it portent good luck? Seeing an eagle?

  “Okay. If you’re ready, we’d better check in with the others. Tell them what’s occurred and see what’s next,” Cole said, as if nothing had happened, as if their whole world hadn’t changed.

  “Fine.” She crossed her arms over her chest, sitting up straighter, keeping her tone ice-cold. She was suddenly angry for some reason. “Let’s go.”

  “Gabby—”

  “It’s okay, I get it. This is wrong, on every level.” She threw the words back at him.

  “I didn’t mean it quite like that. I mean—hell, I don’t know what I meant.” His expression tightened. Damn, rejection hurts.

  When he said nothing, staring out of the front windshield, she straightened up in the seat. “Could you take me back to my place? I need a quick shower.”

  He nodded, staying silent, and had her back to her townhouse in record time by nearly breaking the speed limits.

  “You’re welcome to come inside and clean up as well,” she offered throwing the idea out there, unbuckling her seatbelt.

  “Best I wait here.” The terse words hurt. So much for a quick tryst in the shower. Afraid of embarrassing herself, she rushed from the truck and into the brownstone, slamming the door behind her.

  Cole hit the steering wheel with his hands, full-on, sending pain jarring up his forearms. What was he going to do about this impossible situation? He’d taken advantage of Gabby, an inexcusable action. His very own clusterfuck. And now they would both pay the price. His cell phone rang and when he saw the number, he groaned aloud. Why the fuck now? He made a quick decision. Didn’t answer it then felt like a failure for not being the bigger brother. Without realizing what he was going to do, he called the number back.

  Beau began speaking before he could say a word. “Cole. I’m in town on business. I’m at the airport and I need to see you. And hell, maybe I can help with your case.” Cole could hear the muffled sounds of a loudspeaker in the background and people milling about. Fuck, why now, why today?

  Gabby climbed back into the passenger side as he closed his eyes tightly, trying to find the patience to answer Beau. Her fresh fragrance drifted over him in a soft cloud, stirring his cock to full attention in one second. He forced his mind off what he had just missed out on—Gabby naked and wet—and tried to formulate some words.

  “It would be better if you didn’t do that, Beau. Just go and check into a hotel. There’s nothing really for you to do. We’ve got it covered. TETRAD has all the help it needs. But thanks for the offer. And sorry about this, but I have to go.” Cole hung up. This day just kept getting better and better.

  “Who was that?” Gabby asked, giving him a speculative look, looking all composed from her time inside the townhouse. The peach-colored blouse she wore suited her, bringing out the pink in her lips. Lips he would never kiss again if he was smart. But right now, he felt anything but smart.

  “No one.”

  “Sounded like someone.” Her inquisitive tone annoyed him for some reason.

  “What’s your problem?”

  “My problem?” Her voice rose a complete octave as she turned to stare at him, a belligerent expression coloring her fair complexion bright pink. “I’m not the one hiding in plain sight.”

  “I’m not hiding, I’m right here, for fuck’s sake.” He took a full breath. “Okay, that was my brother. Beauregard. Beau. We don’t get along very well.”

  “Why not?”

  He grunted. “Other than he’s relapsed back into drugs twice after a spell in rehab, broke our parents’ hearts and stole anything not nailed down to support his habit, not a damn thing.”

  “Is he clean now?”

  “Says he is.” Cole shrugged. “But he’d better not get in the way this week. Sara needs our best efforts. He’ll just have to wait until I clear the decks if he wants to catch up.”

  “You are right about that—Sara does need our best efforts. You know, Cole, if there is ever anything you want or need to talk about, I’m a good listener.”

  “Why would I need to talk?” he shot back, the old anger surging before shame lanced him. He started the truck’s engine, placing it in gear in preparation for pulling away from the curb. None of his previous life was Gabby’s fault. No, it was all on him. His burden to carry. Alone.

  Gabby’s cell phone rang and she glanced at the caller ID. Jake. Good, maybe he had something.

  “Gabby, we’ve got new intel from the bug in the café. It’s definitely BTK and it looks like something huge is going to go down with the triad, gang saber-rattling shit. The bastards were careful, not giving much away, but I wanted you to know so you’re aware of the danger you’re in. You don’t want to get caught in the crossfire.”

  “Good. What’s the group’s strategy for dealing with sensitive intel like this? Do you have a guy on the inside?” Gabby needed to know. “Want us to swing by HQ?” she asked. Please. I want to exchange my partner.

  “Yes, we have a guy, and no, no need to come in. How did your partner make out with his guy?” No names on phones. First rule of operation. And she was stuck for the foreseeable future with the torment of Cole. If only he’d didn’t smell so fucking good or look so damn hot, she could manage this a whole lot easier. Of course, now he smelled like her, giving her a flashback of how he’d gotten that way. Mind on job, Gabby.

  “I’ll let him tell you.” She held her cell phone to Cole’s ear. Let him deal with it.

  With a few terse words, he filled Jake in.

  She dared a look at him as he drove. About as shut down as a man could manage. Hell, it hadn’t been that bad, had it, fucking in the truck? Not like he hadn’t been a willing participant. And asking about his caller? Yeah, not such good form.

  She put her phone to back to her ear. “Gabby here.”

  “Okay, I want you to head back to Chinatown. Keep an eye on Chang, stay with him. I’ll send you some photos Quinn took of known gang members today,” Jake instructed.

  “Good, we’re heading there now.”

  She hung up on the call, speaking to the windshield. “Jake wants us in Chinatown to keep an eye on Chang and his crew. It’s been confirmed he’s our guy. Intel from the bug in the café.”

  “Good. Check in the back. I brought two sets of earbuds so we can listen in on the conversations while we’re in the field. They hook up to the portals in the console.”

  She rummaged around on the back seat, located the necessary equipment and deposited the items on her lap, buckling herself back in. “When we get back to the office, we should ask to change partners. Maybe you can hire someone. Make this thing easier for you.”

  As soon as she said the words, she wanted to snatch them back. She was only drawing attention to something she wanted to go away. She hooked into the impressive onsite computer system Cole had installed in a large section of the passenger side of the dash, having taken out the glove boxes and CD player. There were more fancy gadgets than she knew the use for. Figures, definitely a guy thing. She could only imagine how a tech guy’s brain worked when it was fueled by imagination. And an unlimited budget. Jake was blessed with old family money.

  “Gabby, I’m sorry. You don’t understand.”

  “Oh, I think I do.”

  “Yeah, do you get that I’m half-crazy with wanting to be with you? Do you get that I’ve been fighting the attraction tooth and nail since I first met you? That it’s the most insane time of all for this crap to be going down? Do you really get that? And being with you, being inside you, I don’t have the words, but, it was the most amazing thing.”

  His explosion of words stunned her. Both of them, if Cole’s horrified expression was anything to go by. To have a man like him admit such a thing went against all she had known in the past. And his anguish was real. It was written all over his face. Undeniably. She realized now he did not take what they h
ad shared lightly.

  “Uh, no, I didn’t quite get all that.” She swallowed hard. Now she felt like a bigger fool. “We should talk about this later. You’re right. This isn’t the time or place.” Anger had been replaced by surprise and relief. He did want her. As much as she wanted him. She should lighten things between them or the next days would prove unbearable. She chose to be the voice of reason.

  “I will say this—it isn’t an all-or-nothing kind of thing. People connect and disconnect all the time. You know, deal with their lust and move on. I’m a big-city girl. I can handle it.” In a bug’s eye. But never again was she going to let a man know how drawn she was to him, even as she felt relieved he was feeling it too.

  “I’m not like that—I don’t do one-night stands. It’s harder for me than you, I guess, I’m a few years older than you, nearly a different generation. Thirty-three. How old are you? Twenty, twenty-one?”

  “Twenty-five,” she rebuked. “An eight-year difference does not count in the scheme of things.”

  “No, that’s a chunk of time, eight full years of experience separating us. A world of difference, with the kind of life I’ve led. You don’t know me. Oh, hell, I don’t know what I believe, anymore. Let’s just leave this thing alone for now.” His words stunned her further, but she had just brought them on herself, suggesting it was a lark when she knew it was not. Why did I give him that stupid impression?

  “Fine,” she lied. It was far from fine. This was uncharted territory for her. She’d never had a man admit to such a thing or talk like Cole was communicating with her. Raw and real. And never have I wanted to impress a man more, damn it. A text message announced its presence just as the video console surveillance monitoring system built-in to the dash buzzed, pulling her instantly away from her thoughts. She checked the message.