Fierce Predator, page 3
“Where were you?”
“Outside of the off-limits area. The shark exhibited some odd behaviors. At one point, I swear it was just suspended in the water, not moving at all.”
“I know I don’t have your fancy degree, but anyone who watches Shark Week knows they have to keep moving to breathe.”
“I don’t disagree. As I said, that’s how it looked. Like I said, odd.”
“You headed back to Coronado tonight?”
“Yep. My two-week rotation is up. If I can catch the last flight up, I’ll head home. Otherwise, I might just stay here. I only have five days off instead of seven.”
“How come?”
“Barry asked me to come back early for a big VIP tour. He wants his shark expert on hand to dazzle them.”
“You think she’ll go along?” Eli Green asked.
“If we do this right, she and the regular passengers will never know anything is going on,” Barry Driscoll, the owner of Oceanic Adventures, answered.
“Why risk it? Why have all those other people on the cruise?
“Mainly because Schumacher wants them there, and probably because no one will think to question, much less board, a boat with them aboard. Our two clients can conduct their business safely in our secure environment, arrange for delivery of the cargo, and everyone goes back to their war zones. We walk away with a cool half-million for basically providing them with a floating Switzerland.”
“Who’s coming?”
“Other than Admiral Warrenton and a few of his closest friends? Schumacher will be there, as will a South American drug lord with delusions of grandeur. I’ve told the crew to make sure no one is packing. The last thing we need is a gunfight to break out. Quit worrying about it, Eli. We’ve done this a number of times and never had any hiccups.”
“The crew are our regular people?” Driscoll nodded. “Why the girl?”
“The Admiral wanted her, and Schumacher wanted the Admiral to have what he wanted.”
“I don’t know, Barry. I just have a bad feeling about this.”
By the time Trinity and Jay finished cleaning the boat, arranged for repairs to the shark cage, and secured the other shark cage to the boat, she had no chance of making the last plane out of San Felipe. If she waited for the first plane out, she wouldn’t get home until mid-day tomorrow, then two days home before getting back on a plane. It didn’t seem worth it.
She headed into town to stay at the hotel the company had a contract with for its employees during their rotations. It was also amenable to employees to layover between rotations if they were so inclined. It wasn’t one of the fancy resorts, but it was clean, safe, and offered a fairly decent breakfast with an overnight stay.
Trinity grabbed the scooter she kept at the company’s headquarters and motored over to the hotel. She was able to keep her favorite room and had just thrown her bags on the bed when her phone rang.
“Barry, what’s up?”
“I heard we had a little trouble with a Tiger Shark today.”
“Did the clients complain?”
“No,” he replied. “To the contrary, they had nothing but rave reviews for you and the dive. What happened?”
“For the life of me, I can’t figure it out. It was really strange. I couldn’t decide if it was attacking or just playing with me.”
“Playing with you? Tigers aren’t known for their happy attitudes and playful natures.”
“No, they’re not, but given the damage it did to the cage, he could have had me for lunch. I definitely got the message he wanted me out of his water.”
“It isn’t his water.”
“But it is,” she insisted. “We’re in their world.”
“Do you think it was the same Tiger that bent the bars?”
“I’m not sure it wasn’t, but if so, he had a far larger home range than usual, but that would make some sense.”
“Why?”
“He was huge.” Trinity blew out a breath at the memory. “I mean like at least half again as large and exhibited some odd behaviors.”
“Could it be rabid?”
“Sharks don’t get rabies, and it didn’t look sick.”
“Jay said he thought you were just going to layover here in San Felipe.”
“It seemed like a lot of travel for what would amount to two days downtime.”
“Good. Any chance you’d like to take on an extra tour? Kind of a last-minute thing, and the people asked for you specifically. I’d be willing to pay you one-and-a-half times your normal rate.”
If Barry was offering to pay more, he must really need her. She didn’t particularly care for her boss; he could be pretty cavalier with people’s safety. It had taken threatening to report him to authorities for him to declare certain areas off-limits for cage diving.
“Make it double, and you have a deal.”
“Deal.” He laughed. “I’ll have the boat ready for you to take out tomorrow at noon.”
She and Barry understood each other and didn’t pull any punches.
“Noon? That’s a late start.”
“They want a sunset cruise on the way back.”
“Honeymooners?”
“No, first anniversary. They honeymooned here last year and said you took them out, and they had a blast. Two women.”
“Rhonda and Sherry? Oh man, now I almost feel guilty for charging you double. They were so fun and easy.”
“Well, you could always do it for your normal rate.”
“I said almost felt guilty.” Trinity laughed. “I’ll get over it. I’ll be there at about eleven to make sure the boat is ready. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they have a good time.”
“Thanks, Trinity. You might want to make sure you have something appropriate for the Admiral’s party.”
“What do you mean appropriate? I’m crew and not even waitstaff. I figured after the guided tour, I’d either take a zodiac back to the dock or go below and hang out.”
“No can do. The Admiral’s invited some pretty big hitters, and not all of them have plus ones. He was hoping you might attend the party as a guest.”
“Uh, boss?” Her brows knitted. “I have nothing appropriate for a party. I think the dressiest thing I have are my jeans and a peasant blouse.”
“Will you go if the company picks up the tab to get you fluffed and buffed?”
“If you want me to get all gussied up, I’m going to need my nails, toes and hair done.”
“That’s not a problem. This is an important evening for the Admiral, and he really likes you. I’d appreciate it if you’d agree.”
“Sure, I can be as girly as the next girl. I’ll make arrangements for a spa day, then pick up a dress and the rest at the resort.”
“Thanks, Trinity. Let me know which resort. I’ll call to tell them to expect you and to bill us directly. I want you to know I recognize this is over and above, and I’ll make sure your paycheck reflects that.”
“Sounds good.”
The call ended, and she started the shower. Stepping in, the water washed the sea salt from her body. Trinity closed her eyes and leaned against the rough Mexican tile as the shower beat on her neck and spine. Unbidden, memories of the man from the Rusty Pelican placing her hands against a brick wall and fucking her came rushing to the fore. God, where had that thought come from? It had been some time since she had that dream. For a while, it had seemed that every time she closed her eyes, her nipples had stiffened, and her pussy had softened in response to the memory of the intense encounter she’d had with the guy.
She still couldn’t figure out why he’d frightened her. Sure, he’d been less than gentle when he fucked her, but she’d provoked and egged him on. Certainly, everything in her response had encouraged him to use her like that, yet he hadn’t wanted to parade her through the bar as the conquering hero. No, he’d wanted to take her home. She laughed. He’d also wanted to set some rules. He had to be military. Military guys always wanted rules, and Trinity wasn’t much on following them.
It had been a while since she’d indulged her own needs. After one embarrassing run-in with airport security, she hadn’t packed a vibrator when she came down for her rotation. Running her hands down her own body, Trinity sighed as it responded when she rolled her nipples between her fingers. Tweaking and pinching them sent pleasure signals straight to her pussy.
She trailed her index finger down the middle of her core as she played with her pebbled nipples, biting her lower lip to keep from crying out. The hotel room might be clean, but it had paper-thin walls. Trinity allowed a single finger to find her little hardened pearl and run across it teasingly. God, it had been a long time. She was soaked—and not from the shower. She moaned, breathing heavily for the first time in a while.
Memories of feeling his hand close around her throat as he spanked her in response to her goading invaded her thoughts. She’d never known having a man swat her ass could have such an arousing effect. Somehow, he’d known just how to handle her, even when she hadn’t. Turning around and leaning back against the tile, she reached up to grab the hand-held shower. She used her index and ring fingers to splay her labia and expose her little jewel to the pulsating water.
Focusing the jetted stream onto her overly sensitized nub elicited a groan as she rose onto the balls of her feet, spreading her legs, arching her back, and pushing her sex toward the source of her pleasure. Her breathing was ragged and heavy as she played with her nipples, imagining it was the large, calloused hands of her anonymous lover. Many was the time she’d wondered who he was and what they might have been to each other if only she’d had the courage to find out about him before letting him alleviate her need, then running away. She had to admit, she’d fled from what might have been.
Moaning, she fantasized he was there in the shower with her, spanking her as he held her against the wall before turning her around and lifting her leg over his hip so he could have better access to her sex. Heat and pleasure surged through her system, and she could almost feel the head of his enormous cock being shoved inside her again. Attempting to mimic the feeling, she used three fingers to stroke in and out of her pussy.
Trinity stifled a scream as she came hard, her cunt clamping down on her fingers before she removed them and straightened as the hot water pelted against her sensitized skin. She wondered what he might do or say if she dared go back to the Rusty Pelican.
Did he remember? Did he ever even think of her at all?
Trinity used the natural sea sponge and goat’s milk soap she brought with her to wash away the day before stepping out of the shower and drying off. She thought about grabbing her t-shirt but decided slipping between the soft sheets naked was a much better idea. She arranged the pillows so two were beneath her head while she laid on her side, hugging a third, with a fourth between her knees, angled, so one end was snug up against the space between her legs.
Not as good as it might have been with her nameless lover, but beggars couldn’t be choosers.
Chapter 4
Zak
Zak was restless. It was the kind of intensity usually only inspired by the ocean, the ebb and flow of her relentless tides a fitting analogy for the way he felt. The woman in the cage had unsettled him, and although he would never admit it to another soul, it was disconcerting. He had dealt with moronic divers for years—they all had—as had most of the marine life out in the deep blue, but something about this one was different.
Her responses had riled him. The way she had refused to get out of the water when he’d rammed her was confusing. Worse was the way she’d come closer to the bars as if she was evaluating him, curious even. That wasn’t right. She should have been fucking terrified by his performance, but he sensed her reactions were reflexive. If he hadn’t taken out one of her floats, she would have stuck around.
“Stupid,” he muttered, gazing out at the water rushing to shore. “She was stupid to put herself in such a dangerous situation.”
“Talking to yourself again?”
Zak turned at the sound of Mason Lockheart’s sardonic tone, the older guy coming to sit on the sand beside him.
“Need some company?” Mason glanced in his direction, his expression knowing.
“I’m surprised you have time these days. I thought Shiloh was dominating all your attention.” Zak winced. He hadn’t intended it to sound so snide. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I’m happy for you.”
He’d known Mason for a long time. Both had been called to serve the Kracken, and they’d hit it off right away. A few years his senior, Mason was also a higher rank in the navy, but over the years, they’d become more like brothers.
“Thanks.” There was that wry tone again. “Actually, I was just on my way to the submarine and spotted you out here. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“You guess?”
“I’m fine.” Zak blew out a breath. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I probably just need to get laid or something.”
“Well, I can’t help you there, buddy.” Mason laughed, his amusement contagious. “But if you ever want to talk, come and find me. I know how you feel, know how lonely this existence can be.” His expression turned serious. “I also owe you one for how you helped Shiloh that day with Schumacher.” His hands balled into fists. “I’m still waiting for the chance to show him my feelings on the subject.”
“Your time will come.” Zak smiled at his friend. “And you’re welcome. We’re there for each other, Mason. All five of us would have done the same.”
“I’m not so sure about that.” Mason glanced out toward the horizon. “Nash and I have never exactly seen eye to eye.”
“Sure, but he’d still be there. If push came to shove, we all would. It’s like you said, only we really understand.”
A heavy silence fell over the men, the weight of their duty pressing down on their shoulders.
“Well, anyway, I’d better move.” Mason motioned to where he kept his Harley Davidson. “You heading back to base?”
“I’m not sure.” Zak’s brows furrowed. He wasn’t used to not knowing where he was going in life. Normally, he was in control. “I think I might head out for another swim.”
“Again?” Mason’s brow rose with surprise. “You’ll be exhausted, Zak. Take a raincheck. Go back and grab a shower. Rest.”
“Hmmm.” He was loathed to admit Mason was right. “Don’t let me keep you.”
“No chance.” Mason smiled as he stripped off his tee and stalked toward his garage. “The Kracken waits for no man. You know that. See you around.”
His voice disappeared on the wind, and Zak watched him march off into the distance. Staring back at the ocean, he once again felt the tug to return, to ditch his human form and become the shark, but begrudgingly, he had to admit Mason was correct. He hadn’t eaten for hours and needed to rest. Climbing to his feet, he brushed the sand from his jeans and closed the distance to where his car was waiting on the roadside.
He was back on base in less than fifteen minutes, briefly checking in with his CO before making his way to his apartment. Zak had chosen this place because it was close to the base and had been rehabbed from an old warehouse with thick cinderblock and concrete walls, floors, and ceilings, affording him the privacy he needed. His entire life revolved around his military career and the compulsive call of the Kracken. Being too far from either the base or the ocean made him uneasy.
Stripping out of his clothes, he collapsed on his bed, and his thoughts returned to the mysterious female diver who’d captured so much of his time and attention. Who was she, and why the hell did it matter so much? He closed his eyes, recalling her compelling gaze when he’d approached the cage. Allowing his imagination to run wild, he remembered the swell of her curves beneath her wet suit, envisioning the amazing body she was hiding.
“I’d like to get her out of those wet clothes,” he murmured to himself. “If I ever get my hands on her, she’ll be caged all right, but for entirely different reasons.”
Grinning, Zak imagined her naked and vulnerable, held in custody as his personal captive. The Tiger Shark in him might have enjoyed rattling her bars, but the man had other ideas about what he would do to her. Running his hand along his growing shaft, an image of the enigmatic woman burst into his mind, emerging strangely as the same one he’d screwed at the back of the Rusty Pelican all those months ago.
“Fuck.”
Fisting his erection, the memory of that encounter seared into his mind. She had been red hot, whoever she was, taking what he had to offer and milking every last drop of his pleasure, but when he’d headed back into the bar to save her blushes, she’d up and left. It still felt like a betrayal, stinging even though that made no sense. They hadn’t promised each other anything. Hell, they hadn’t even swapped names and numbers, but he had expected her to stick around, to be civilized. He had wanted to bring her back here and offer her more pleasure. Frankly, he had wanted to see her on her hands and knees, begging for more of his cock.
The aforementioned organ swelled at the recollection, the imagery of his one-night stand blending with the woman from the unfathomable encounter today. Zak had no idea why the two merged or why he found either so compelling, but they moved him, exciting him to the point where his climax neared. One thing was for certain, if he ever got another chance with either woman, he would put her in her place. Little girls who ran away, rather than doing as they were told, were nearly as infuriating as those who proactively headed in the direction of danger. Both needed to be punished and made to serve. His hand moved faster over his cock, pushing him over the brink, and with a grunt, he pumped his hot seed over his belly.
Masturbating in his lonely little apartment on his own should have been a depressing reminder of the solitary existence he lived, but blowing out a breath, he realized he felt better for the release. It was as if a burden had been lifted from him, and the pent-up energy the little diver had furled and burgeoned with her earlier display didn’t feel as pressing as he wandered to the bathroom to clean up.
