Marcus Read online

  Marcus usually made an appearance at these parties, then left early to head back to his room to study raptor movements or plan the squad’s next missions. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”

  “Great.” She smiled. “I’ll see you there, then.” She hurried out clutching the chip.

  He stared at the tunnel where she’d exited for a long while after she disappeared, and finally ripped his chest armor off. Ah, on second thought, maybe going to the rec night wasn’t a great idea. Watching her pretty face and captivating smile would drive him crazy. He cursed under his breath. He really needed that cold shower.

  As he left the landing pads, he reminded himself he should be thinking of the mission. Destroy the hub and kill more aliens. Rinse and repeat. Death and killing, that was about all he knew.

  He breathed in and caught a faint trace of Elle’s floral scent. She was clean and fresh and good. She always worried about them, always had a smile, and she was damned good at providing their comms and intel.

  She was why he fought through the muck every day. So she could live and the goodness in her would survive. She deserved more than blood and death and killing.

  And she sure as hell deserved more than a battled-scarred, bloodstained soldier.

  Chapter Two

  “What do you mean you haven’t got anything off the chip?” Elle stared at Noah Kim, unable to take in what he’d just told her.

  Noah sat back in his chair, surrounded by a mess of salvaged, mismatched computer equipment in the computer lab. A lab he considered his own private domain. He rolled something around in his left hand and Elle knew it would be a pair of dice from his collection.

  “I got the data off the chip, Ellie, it’s just undecipherable.”

  No. She gripped the edge of the table. Marcus and others were not going to be happy.

  Noah pushed his dark-rimmed glasses up his nose. He was long and lean with a handsome face dominated by high cheekbones and dark eyes courtesy of his South Korean father. His black hair was in desperate need of a cut and brushed his shoulders.

  “There are too many new letters and words. You’ve been working on the raptor language project, you know we can only translate a small portion of it.”

  Elle released a breath. Yes, she knew and Noah never lied. He always gave people the stark truth whether they wanted it or not. “Dammit.”

  He patted her hand. “Sorry. I know it wasn’t what you wanted to hear.”

  “You’ll keep working on it?”

  “You know I will.” He leaned back and set his dice on the shelf behind him. On it, lined up with precision, was his collection—dice of all shapes, sizes and colors. Some were ancient and made from bone, others were electronic and made of metal. The man was obsessed and didn’t let anyone touch them, ever.

  Back at his desk, he picked up what looked like…well, she had no idea what the mass of chips and wires was. “I have some priority work to do on the solar-power system, then I’ll get to it. Promise.”

  A hundred years before, some genius had perfected making nuclear power safe. But only on a small scale. Tiny thermonuclear reactors could power a quadcopter or a vehicle, but something as large as Blue Mountain Base couldn’t be powered by them. They’d just end up with more nuclear waste than they could neutralize. Instead, they relied on a high-tech solar-power system that Noah kept running.

  She nodded. “Well, I’ll go and tell Squad Six the bad news.”

  He winced. “I don’t envy you the task of telling Hell Squad they just risked their butts for nothing.”

  “They’re used to risking their lives.” Too much, in her opinion. “And it isn’t for nothing. We will find a way to translate that map, or we might all end up raptor bait.”

  Elle hit the tunnel and headed toward the rec room.

  Over the last year, the bare concrete walls and twisting tunnels had become familiar. The polished wood and luxury furniture of her parents’ sprawling mansion seemed a distant dream. As she neared the large open space that had become the recreation area, she heard the strum of strings and the murmur of conversation punctuated by the odd laugh.

  She paused in the arched doorway. It was busy tonight. It seemed like most of the base was packed into the room, leaning against the walls and lounging on chairs. A slim man was playing guitar, bent over the battered instrument, lost in his music. A couple of women in tight jeans had gamely cleared a small space near him and were dancing.

  Elle spotted the members of Six by the far wall. Shaw—newly healed—straddled a chair backwards, the light glinting off the golden strands in his hair. He was laughing at something the intense, tall and imposing Gabe had said. Gabe, with his shaved head, dark skin and tattoos, didn’t appear to notice that many people detoured around him to avoid gaining his attention.

  Claudia was sitting cross-legged on top of a table, swigging back a beer, her dark hair in its usual braid. Marcus and Cruz leaned against the wall. Only Zeke, Gabe’s twin brother, was missing.

  Her gaze instantly went to Marcus, drawn there like metal to a magnet. Her breath hitched. He’d showered, his short, dark hair damp against his head. He wore a well-worn, black T-shirt and even more well-worn jeans that were going threadbare at the stress points. Marcus wasn’t the tallest member of his team, but he was the biggest. He had a tough, solid body that was all muscle. His arms were crossed, his biceps bulging, a beer dangling from his fingers. He was listening to something Cruz was saying.

  Elle bit her lip. Every single cell in her body vibrated with need. She’d never, ever wanted a man so much. She had no idea why he affected her so much. Cruz, with his liquid-dark eyes, mouthwatering face and a sexy Latin accent, was more handsome. Most women in the base were half in love with Cruz’s trademark sexy grin. Elle had heard one woman call it panty-melting, but it didn’t have that effect on Elle.

  Marcus’ face was rough, tough, and dominated by a large, ragged scar ran down his right cheek and across his neck. No one knew how he’d gotten it. Rumor said he’d charged a raptor raiding party in the early days after the invasion. That he’d killed them all with his bare hands and been given a slash during the fight for his trouble.

  Elle had no idea if it was true, but she had no trouble believing he could do it.

  As she watched, Claudia said something that had a small smile curving his lips. Elle’s shoulders sagged. Claudia was so his type—a strong, female warrior. Never in a million years would he want a woman like Elle. The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth.

  “Hey, Elle. Want a beer?”

  She blinked and focused on the man just inside the door, manning the makeshift bar. “Ah, no thanks, Zeke.”

  It would be easy to mistake Zeke for simply a bartender and not the soldier he was. With his brightly colored Hawaiian shirt, cargo shorts, and dark skin topped with a lazy smile, he didn’t look like a man who could battle through raptors with focused ease.

  Zeke waved a hand behind him. “The best homebrewed beer in Blue Mountain Base. Or if you want to go all out, the last of the top-shelf liquor.” He pointed to the mostly empty spirit bottles lining the shelves behind him.

  “Another time. I need to talk to Marcus.”

  Zeke frowned. “Bad news?”

  “Something like that.” Elle wove through the crowd, responding when required to hellos and calls to join groups for a drink.

  She was almost to Marcus when she saw a tall, curvaceous blonde saunter up to him.

  Liberty was beautiful and she knew how to work it. Considering the world had gone to hell, the woman spent a long time ensuring her mane of hair stayed healthy and blonde. Elle had heard Liberty had started an underground black market in scavenged beauty products. She packed her curves into tight jeans and a shirt the color of strawberries that showed off her assets.

  Elle liked her. She was funny and unapologetic about the fact she liked sex. With well-muscled soldiers. The harder and sweatier the better. Some of her stories made Elle blush.

  But as the woman sidled up beside Marcus, a flirtatious grin on her face, all of Elle’s kind feelings toward the other woman evaporated. Suddenly, all Elle wanted to do was leap on her and take her down.

  Elle forced herself to breathe. If Marcus wanted to spend the night tangled with Liberty, it was none of her business.

  So why the hell did she feel like she was bleeding inside?

  Liberty pressed up close to Marcus, her breasts rubbing against his arm. She said something and Marcus responded. Elle secretly liked the fact his face stayed its usual impassive mask.

  Liberty finally nodded and walked away. She blew Marcus a kiss over her shoulder.

  Had they made plans to meet later? Elle forced her feet to move. None of your damn business, Elle.

  She stiffened her spine and hoped the look on her face was cool and professional.

  ***

  “You should take her up on her offer, amigo. She’s a fast, sweaty ride to heaven.”

  Marcus grunted at Cruz’s words. “Not interested.”

  Since the alien invasion, most people’s views on sex had changed. Sex was a way to affirm life, feel closeness when most people had lost everyone they’d ever loved and cared about. And it was a way to ensure humanity survived. Although Marcus wasn’t sure how he’d feel about bringing a kid into this shitty world.

  He liked Liberty just fine, but the woman made no bones about the fact that she liked soldiers. Any soldiers. Marcus wanted…something else. Something more.

  Cruz snorted. “You’ve been pretty uptight of late. Getting laid would do us all a favor.”

  “Can it, Ramos.”

  Cruz lifted his drink, but the glint in his eyes said he was laughing inside at Marcus’ expense. “Then you wouldn’t be interested to know a certain pretty, smart and softly sexy brunette is headed our way.”

  Marcus barely stopped himself from jerking. He flicked his gaze over the crowd and saw Elle wending her way through the throng.

  Her dark hair was loose. She usually had it tied up or braided when she was working. She didn’t wear any make-up, but her face didn’t need it. Clean, fresh and beautiful.

  Shit. He lifted his beer and took a huge gulp.

  Cruz chuckled. “Still not interested, amigo?”

  “Fuck you, Cruz.”

  “I don’t think it’s me you want to fuck, my friend.”

  Elle reached them.

  “Hola, Elle.”

  “Hi, Cruz.” Her gaze landed on Marcus. “Marcus.”

  He nodded.

  “I’ve just come from the comp lab.”

  Marcus straightened. “They decoded the map?”

  She grimaced. “Sort of. They broke the encryption but they can’t decipher the data. There are too many raptor words we don’t know.”

  Marcus swore.

  “I’m sorry.” She pressed a hand to his forearm. “I’ll keep working on it, I promise.”

  Her touch burned all the way through his skin so that he could swear he felt it in his bones. He pulled away. “We need to locate that comms hub.”

  She clenched her hands together. “I know.”

  “Hey, Ellie-girl.” Shaw appeared behind her and flicked a finger at her earlobe.

  “You’re all better?” she asked.

  “Sure. The lovely Doc Emerson fixed me right up.” He waggled his eyebrows. “I don’t mind being injured if I get to stare at a beautiful face while I’m healing.” He grabbed her hand. “Next time, you could come visit me and we can play doctor-patient.”

  Claudia reached over and smacked Shaw in the head. “Quit it, you moron.”

  Shaw scowled. “You on the other hand, I don’t want anywhere near me when I’m healing. You’re just as likely to finish me off rather than help me get better.”

  Claudia’s smile was thin. “And don’t you forget it.”

  “Listen up,” Marcus said. “Elle says Noah and his geeks can’t translate the map.”

  A round of swearing ensued.

  “I’ll keep working on it,” Elle said. “I’m getting much better with the raptor language.”

  “We know you will, querida.” Cruz shoved a beer at her. “Here, have a drink, take a seat next to the boss.” With a hand on her shoulder he forced her into a chair beside Marcus. “I’ll grab us some chips and what passes for salsa around here.” He raised a brow at Marcus. “I’ll get a fresh brew.”

  The others drifted away. Marcus watched Elle take a sip of her beer, while her gaze watched the crowd.

  “We still on for tomorrow?” she asked.

  “Tomorrow?”

  “I usually spar with Cruz in the gym. He said he can’t make it and that you’d fill in.”

  Training? This was the first he’d heard about filling in. Damn, his sneaky friend. But one look at Elle’s eyes and Marcus couldn’t say no. “Yeah. Sure.” Great, just what he needed with his control eroded down to zero. Hand-to-hand combat training with Elle. Her in those tight black leggings she favored when she worked out, rolling around on the mats in the gym. Her skin sweaty and flushed with exertion.

  Damn.

  Suddenly the music stopped. Marcus glanced up and saw Cruz taking the guitar from the previous musician. Cruz settled on the stool, adjusting the instrument. Then he bent over it and started to play.

  The music had an undertone to it that Marcus guessed hailed from Cruz’s home country of Mexico. Something that urged everyone to get up and dance. But there was also something else alive in it—something that made you think of hot nights, silk sheets and sweaty bodies.

  Marcus took another giant swig of his beer.

  Elle’s gaze was glued to Cruz. “He’s so good. When he’s playing, it’s like there’s no one else in the room.”

  “Yeah, he’s good.” Marcus let the strumming wash over him. More dancers had joined in, couples swaying and grinding against each other.

  It was all too easy to imagine himself holding Elle against him. Her rounded ass nestled into him, swaying to the intoxicating beat. He could hear her sighs of pleasure, feel her push back against him—

  Cruz looked up. He grinned at Marcus, like he knew exactly what he was thinking.

  Sudden squeals cut through the beautiful, hypnotic music. Across the room, two guys from Squad Four lifted ladies onto their shoulders. Not far from them, a drunken reveler swung a punch at his equally-drunken mate.

  Marcus gripped his beer. He had no right thinking anything about Elle Milton. The last thing Elle needed was his rough hands anywhere near her. Marcus decided he’d head back to his room…and take another cold shower.

  Just then Liberty caught his gaze, shot him a huge smile and waggled her fingers. She was persistent, he’d give her that. He lifted his beer in salute but gave the tiniest shake of his head.

  As the curvy blonde winked at him, Elle looked up. Her gaze cut to Liberty, then him, and then she shot to her feet. “I’ll be…heading off now.”

  Marcus stood and set his beer down. “Me, too. I have—”

  “Other plans.” Elle backed away. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Good night, Marcus.”

  He watched her hurry away, bumping into Cruz on her way out.

  “What was that all about? You scare her off with your ugly mug?”

  “Not sure.” Marcus stared at the empty doorway. “I’m hitting my bunk. See you tomorrow.”

  As he headed for his quarters, Marcus knew a cold shower wouldn’t be enough. Instead, he suspected a long night was ahead, with a hard on that wouldn’t go away no matter what, staring at the ceiling above his bunk and thinking of big blue eyes and creamy skin.

  Chapter Three

  Marcus finished his last set of bicep curls and set the weights down on the rack. He glanced at his watch.

  Elle was late.

  Elle was never late.

  Screw this. He was going to find her.

  He tried her room first. After banging his fist on the door for a full minute, he frowned. Where the hell was she? A door down the hall opened and a teenage girl teetering on the verge of womanhood leaned against the jamb.

  “She isn’t there, big guy. Didn’t come home last night.” The girl grinned. “Figured she got lucky.”

  “Thanks.” Marcus ground his teeth together and stalked off down the hall. Had Elle spent the night in some jackass’s bunk? He wanted to slam a fist into the wall. He rounded a corner and nearly plowed into someone headed the other way.

  “Hey, Marcus.”

  “Noah.” Marcus tried to keep his scowl to a minimum. “Have you seen Elle?”

  Noah nodded. “Yep. She spent the night working on that damn map translation. Left her sleeping facedown on the keyboard.”

  Marcus’ rigid muscles relaxed. “Thanks.”

  Minutes later, he opened the door to the comp lab and there she was.

  Fast asleep.

  He let himself watch her for a moment. She was everything he’d never known he liked in a woman. Before the invasion, he’d had sex. Quick, hard and over. He’d never really paid much attention to the woman’s personality, or even what she looked like, although he’d tended toward tall, fit women who could handle a man his size. Since the invasion, he’d been too damn busy to worry about women.

  Except this one.

  Her head was turned to the side, her cheek pressed to the metal desk. Her dark lashes were long against the pale cream of her cheek.

  She was a woman meant for silk, and fine dining and sunshine. Not stuck in this shithole.

  He reached out, wanting to touch her, but let his hand drop to his side. “Elle?”

  Her eyes blinked open, the blue of them unfocused. She blinked again and sat bolt upright. “What time is it?”

  “Nine o’clock in the morning.”

  She pushed her hair back off her face. She had the faint outline of the edge of the keyboard on her cheek. “It can’t be.” She looked at her watch and groaned. “I’m so sorry, Marcus. I missed our session.”

  “You’ve been in here all night?”

  “I wanted to see if we’d missed anything on the translation. I don’t sleep that well anyway, so I figured I’d work.”

  He crouched down beside her. “All night is above and beyond, Elle. You need to stay rested. The squad needs you. We get called out, we need you in top form.”