Page 23 of Stains of Desire

5

Penelope

If I bottledeverything I am attracted to in a man, Axel would be the fizz flowing out of the top.

Since I'm not wearing any panties, I'm holding my legs together and hoping I don't embarrass myself. But the heat I'm feeling isn't from the jungle humidity.

His cheeks are full of dark stubble from his five o'clock shadow. I'd give anything for him to scratch my body with it. Any part, it doesn't matter. I won't be picky.

I don't know the color of his eyes, since his night vision goggles are on. But his face is chiseled as much as his body. I'm pretty sure if I ripped all his clothes off, I'd be staring at a perfect underwear model.

And my body molds to his. When he put his hand on the curve of my waist, we could have been walking down the street, window-shopping. It was comfortable—like it belonged on me.

He towers over me, which not a lot of men do. When his palm cradled my entire head to protect me from the dense forest we had to get through, I could hardly breathe, thinking indecent thoughts about where I wanted his hand next.

And the scent of his skin...

Oh God. I have to use my head. The last time I thought with my hormones, I ended up with William.

When he carried me through the woods, my lips brushed against his neck. I could feel his pulse beating, which seemed to get faster as he maneuvered us through the woods. The salt from his sweat melted in my mouth. And I restrained myself from licking him. Now he's carrying me again, into the tent, and I'm confused whether he's part of the Global Leaders or an innocent bystander doing their work.

His boss, Louis Couture, is maybe the only man more powerful than the U.S. President or U.K. Prime Minister. And he's thick as thieves with both of them.

If William hadn't made it known I was his, Louis would have had his way with me. Before I knew about the Global Leaders, I met him. William and I were in the U.K. at the prime minister's house. It was a dinner William said I needed to be at. Oliver didn't like I was going, but William made it clear it wasn't an option if I wanted to keep my job.

Louis cornered me outside the bathroom. It was toward the end of the night, and everyone had been heavily drinking. He pushed his body so close to mine, I retreated to the wall. Before it got too far, and in a politically correct fashion, William pulled me away.

Maybe that's why I trusted William. But either way, my judgment was off with him. There was never any real attraction for him, including the one night I just needed to feel someone, but it didn't mean I thought anything was off morally.

I've paid the price ever since. And now it's been over a year since I've seen my daughter.

Thirteen is the top clearance level at Interpol. Only Louis has it. Based on Axel's six, even Andre's eight, I don't think they would have any insight into the Global Leaders. They're probably just heroes taking orders and doing their job.

But I can't afford to make any more mistakes. Millie is out there, and now that I've been taken away from Santiago, she could be in even more danger.

Axel steps into the tent but doesn't put me down. He tilts his head down, as if studying me.

I need to see what this man looks like.

I pull his goggles off him, and the air becomes thick. His eyes are dark, but not in a brooding way. Layers of deep browns and blacks pool in the dimly lit space. His hair is dark, with just the hint of silver popping through.

He swallows hard, and I suddenly feel overheated. The look in his eyes has a tension to it. It reminds me of an animal. As if he's hungry and I'm his prey, and he's ready to gobble me up in one bite.

I just wish he was attracted to me. This isn't going to help me rescue Millie.

Another man steps next to us. "Axel, Dirk's on food. I'm on first aid. Take Ryker and guard the tent until the guys are back."

"Got it." He never looks at him, continuing to assess my face, then licks his lips. He glances around the tent and carries me to a blow-up air mattress and sets me on it. He kneels. "It's best you don't stand on your foot until we can look at it. Malin will help you until I'm back." His deep voice oozes with power and control, and I once again wonder if he's eaten today.

I shouldn't want any of it. I've been controlled for the last several years. But every part of him is adding more fuel to the fire, and it's a chain reaction of desire powerfully overshadowing my concentration.

When he releases me, his fingers travel down my thigh, and a shiver runs up my spine, competing with the heat of his touch. And he continues to stare at me.

He finally breaks away from me and rises. "I'll be back soon."

I sit up straighter. "I'll be here. Not a lot of options right now."

His eyes trail from my head to my feet then back up. His lips twitch. "That's good. I'll hold you to it." He winks and turns.