Page 4 of North (Hunter Squad #2)

CHAPTER FOUR

North

N ight had fallen. The crowd at Hemi’s had grown exponentially, and the noise and sea of bodies ebbed around us as we headed out.

The squad all called out our goodbyes to each other.

“Jameson.” A blonde woman ran down the sidewalk.

Our squad leader’s rugged face lit up. “There she is.” He scooped up his girlfriend Greer, and then they were kissing.

“You’re back,” he said.

“I am.” She wrapped her legs around his waist.

“How’s your dam, Greer?” Marc called out.

“Monster free.” She grinned at us.

“You’re welcome,” Marc said. “I was excellent bait.”

Hunter Squad had taken down an aquatic monster that had been in the dam and attacking the workers. It had killed some of Greer’s engineering team. Jameson and Greer had almost lost their lives trying to kill it. And Marc had been seriously injured while dangling from the Talon.

Colbie snorted. “The monster didn’t even try to eat you. It knew you’d taste bad.”

“Lark, I promise I’m tasty.” He winked.

“Night.” Jameson carried his woman down the street. “See you all tomorrow.”

I shook my head, still surprised at how happy the two of them were. I fell into step with Jess.

She shot me a look.

“I’m walking you home,” I said.

“Your place isn’t in the same direction as mine.”

“It’s not far.”

“I thought Dawn was safe.”

“It is.”

She shook her head. “Whatever, Connors.”

We were quiet as we left the shops and restaurants behind, and walked into the quiet streets, lined with eco-houses.

“Have you settled into your place?” I asked.

“Mostly.” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I didn’t bring too much stuff with me, so Jameson arranged a place with some furniture. Lucky, otherwise I’d be sitting on the floor.”

I nodded. “My mom helped me set up my place when I first moved out.”

“Your parents live in Dawn?”

“Yes, but they’re away on a trip right now.”

Jess slid her hands into her pockets. “Your dad was a berserker.”

“He was. And mum’s a tech geek.”

“How did they meet?”

I grinned. “Online gaming.”

Jess smiled back. “I sense a good story.”

“Yeah. I’ll tell it to you one day.”

We turned a corner, the path bringing us right up to the wall that surrounded Dawn. Jess arched her head and looked up. “I hope that one day, we no longer have to wall in our towns.”

“One day.” I paused and took her hand. “Come with me.”

I walked us over to the nearest guard tower, then nodded at the guard on duty. “Hey, Tom.”

“North.”

“We’re just going to take a peek.”

The older man gave me a chin lift.

We climbed up the stairs to the top of the wall.

On top, we had a view of the surrounding rolling hills, doused in moonlight. There was a glimmer of brighter lights to the north. New Sydney. Stars twinkled overhead.

“Wow.” She looked up. “Before the invasion, you had to travel far out of the towns and cities to see the stars. There was too much light pollution, otherwise. All the stars are so different here in the southern hemisphere.”

“That’s Orion.” I pointed. “And the Southern Cross.” Something caught my gaze. I glanced down to the field below us, and I saw movement in the shadows below. “We have a visitor.”

Her expression sharpened. “It’s a monster.”

It was too dark to tell exactly what it was. It didn’t seem to be coming any closer. “Yeah, there are always a few hanging around. Testing the walls. The guards have a thermal camera, so they’ll be keeping an eye on it. If any monsters get too close, the guards will fire on them and chase them off.”

She nodded, thoughtful.

“You really like to study them?”

Her face brightened. “I do. There are so many different types, with different behaviors, different breeding habits.” She paused. “In the decade after the invasion, people thought the monsters’ behavior was completely random, but certain traits were already obvious.” She made a face. “There have certainly been some changes in their behavior recently.”

“I don’t want to believe that they’re working together, but I know that they’re not just dumb, mindless beasts. I’ve seen that for myself.” I scanned the surrounding hills again.

“That’s New Sydney?” She pointed to the lights in the distance.

“Yes. Most of the city was destroyed. A large alien ship landed there during the invasion. The ship’s been dismantled now, and the tech analyzed.”

She nodded.

“The New Sydney community was set up in the city center. That’s where the Eastern Australian Council is based. They provide leadership for the eastern half of Australia. They oversee Squad Command, the Education Board, the Manufacturing Division, and the Agricultural Department. Most small communities have local leadership, but they all check in with the council. Share resources and ideas. Help each other out.”

“My cousins, Uncle Cruz’s daughters, both work for the council.”

My lips quirked. “Bryony does a bit more than work for them. She’s president and an excellent, thoughtful leader.”

“Cruz and Santha are so proud of her.”

Cruz and his wife Santha had saved a young Bryony in the middle of the invasion and adopted her.

“And he says that Kari will probably take over from her one day,” Jess continued.

I had no doubt. Kari Ramos was smart, driven, and a workaholic.

There were some lights closer to the east of Dawn. “That’s Squad Command.” Our headquarters were a short drive from the town. “Come on. I promised to walk you home.”

We were quiet as we descended the wall and headed down the street. It was empty, and most of the lights were off in the surrounding houses.

Soon, Jess stopped and walked up a short path. Her wooden house looked the same as mine. It had an angular, black roof, and wooden siding. The roof absorbed sunlight during the day and generated power. There were some green plants in a large planter by the front door.

She hadn’t left any lights on and the house was draped in shadows.

She turned to face me. “Well, thanks for walking me home, and for the stargazing.”

I nodded and slid my hands in my pockets. I felt… Hell, I didn’t know what I felt. I just knew that Jessica Ramos unsettled me.

She stepped closer and I smelled her perfume. Something with a lush, sexy undertone.

“Good night, North.”

“Night.” I lowered my head and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

She stilled. I stilled. My lips were touching soft skin.

Then she made a sound.

A soft, hungry sound.

My gut clenched, and I dug deep for some control. But I still let my lips ghost over her skin. Her hands tangled in the front of my T-shirt.

Then she turned her head. Our gazes connected, just as her lips touched mine.

I heard something inside me snap like a rubber band. Then my mouth was on hers—hot and hard. I kissed her, and she returned it just as eagerly.

Before I knew it, our tongues were tangling and I lifted her off her feet.

She let out a husky sound and wrapped her legs around my waist. I slid my hands around to cup her curvy ass.

I took two steps, and her back hit the front door.

Then I devoured her.

Jess

God, the man could kiss.

I surrendered to it. I stopped thinking and worrying and overanalyzing. My tongue stroked his and I slid my fingers into his thick hair. North tasted like sin and the best mistakes. For the first time in a long time, I just let myself feel.

There was no work. No grief. No worry. Just pure desire.

It felt so good.

His hard body pinned me to the door. I slid my hands to his broad shoulders, kneading the muscles that I found there. I moaned. He was all hard muscle.

“Jesus… Jess.” His mouth moved to my neck and pleasure shot through me.

With a cry, I arched into him. “Inside,” I panted.

“What?”

I fumbled for the door and slapped my hand to the lock.

I heard it beep and the door clicked open. We stumbled inside. North caught me so we didn’t fall. I already knew he had strength and good reflexes.

He slammed the door shut, and then I was pinned to the wall beside it. We shared another deep, sexy kiss. I was going up in flames.

A tiny voice in my head was trying to tell me to slow down, but I ignored it.

I wanted to feel.

I wanted pleasure.

I wanted North.

I tugged at his shirt, suddenly desperate for skin. He disconnected our mouths long enough to rip the T-shirt over his head.

Oh wow.

In the low light, I saw the perfection of his chest and abs. Every muscle was defined. There was a tattoo, but I couldn’t quite make it out in the darkness. I touched a line of dark ink.

He sucked in a breath. His hands were on my T-shirt and then it was gone, and I was just wearing my black bra. I was glad I’d worn my nice set tonight.

He gave a low growl, then his mouth closed over my nipple, sucking it through the lace. I moaned, electric tingles skating though me.

“So sweet,” he said. “I wonder where else you’re sweet.”

My belly clenched and filled with delicious flutters. It had been a long time since a man had turned me on this much.

He sucked on my other breast until I was gasping for air. My nipples were hard and aching.

Then he let my feet touch the floor. Before I could say anything, North dropped to his knees in front of me.

Oh . My belly swooped.

He undid my jeans, then pulled them and my panties down my legs. He pressed a kiss to my hipbone, then lower, on my thigh. My chest was rising and falling fast. I hadn’t realized that the sexiest thing in the world was North Connors on his knees in front of me.

He parted my legs, and wrapped one of my thighs over his shoulder.

God . North’s dark head was between my thighs. I ached, and the anticipation left me jittery. “North… Please…”

His hands wrapped around my thighs, then he pulled me closer and buried his face between my legs.

“Oh, God .” As his mouth touched my swollen flesh, sensations rocketed through me.

His fingers dug into my skin as he licked and sucked. His tongue lapped, then touched my clit. I jerked, my hands tangling roughly in his hair.

I was out of control. Desire, pleasure, and need were a potent mix. I ground my hips against his face.

His fingers bit deeper, and I knew I’d have bruises. I liked the thought.

He growled, and that deep masculine sound vibrated through me. When his clever, relentless lips closed over my clit, I whimpered.

I was on sensation overload. My orgasm hit—hard and blindingly fast. I cried out, squeezing my thighs around his head.

He groaned, eating me with his sinful tongue as I shook. Panting, I came back down and tugged at him to get up.

I’d come, but I still felt achy and empty. He rose in front of me, heat pumping off his bare chest. I frantically worked the button and zipper of his cargo pants open and pushed his dark boxer shorts down.

And freed the most beautiful cock I’d ever seen.

I sucked in a sharp breath. It was long, the perfect girth, and even looked good—smooth and sexy.

Like him.

I wanted that cock inside me. “Now, North.”

He stepped closer. His hard chest pressed against me, and that impressive cock dug into my belly. He lifted me, and a thrill ran through me. I found myself pinned against the wall again, my legs wrapping around his lean waist.

“You want me to fuck you?” His voice was low.

“Yes.”

“How, Jess? Slow and teasing? Hard and fast?”

“Hard. Fast.” My heart knocked against my ribs.

“Good.” I felt him fist his cock between our bodies, the swollen head brushing between my legs.

He thrust inside me.

I let out a cry, and it meshed with the small groan that exploded out of him. My nails dug into his shoulders as I absorbed the pleasure-pain burning through me. I was so full.

“I can feel how wet you are.” His voice was a gritty growl. “How tight.”

His voice made me tighten my legs around him. “Fuck me, North.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He cupped my ass, pulled out, then slammed back in. He worked his big cock inside me until we were both slick with sweat and panting.

I never wanted it to stop.

His mouth was on mine—a mindless, passion-filled kiss. My climax shimmered, I was on the edge.

“Come on my cock, Jess. Now .”

Those words tipped me over the edge. I screamed, and sharp-edged waves of pleasure hit.

A moment later, he thrust into me and stayed there. He groaned, his big body shaking as he came deep inside me.

Small aftershocks of pleasure shivered through me. My brain needed a reboot, because it certainly wasn’t functioning. We stayed there for a minute or three, who knew how long? It was lucky, because I was pretty sure my legs would collapse without him holding me up.

Finally, he set me on my feet. Our gazes met.

And reality—that sneaky bitch—hit me like a monster at full speed.

I’d just fucked a squad mate.

I was the new member on the team, the only female soldier on the team, and I’d screwed up. It didn’t matter how much I’d wanted it or how good it had felt. I couldn’t let this get messy. I couldn’t let it ruin things.

I cleared my throat. “That was really great, North.”

His gaze narrowed and he cocked his head. “Great?”

“Yes. We clearly needed it.” I straightened and realized I was only wearing my bra. Dammit . I snatched my shirt off the floor. “The moment we met, we both know there was a…spark.” I pulled my shirt over my head. “Now, we’ve gotten it out of our system.” I pasted on a big smile. “Now we can get on with things.”

“Get on with things?” He stared at me with an unreadable look.

I nodded.

His chest rose and fell, and I tried not to get distracted by the muscles and ink. “If that’s what you want.”

“Yep,” I said brightly.

He turned away and started pulling his own clothes back into place. He yanked his shirt over his head. He shot me one long look, then turned and stalked out.

Shit .

I closed the door behind him and sagged against it. I pressed my cheek to the cool wood, my pulse still racing.

I had no idea what I wanted.

And I wasn’t exactly sure how we’d left things.

But standing there with North’s come sliding down my thighs, I had to admit that I was pretty damn confused.