Unmapped (Treasure Hunter Security #6) Read online

  Her heart felt like it was dancing in her chest. He took his time and then wrapped it around her. He scooped up their clothing in one hand, grabbed her hand with his other one, and pulled her out of the bathroom. A second later, he opened the door to his cabin, and tugged her inside.

  Shut in the small space, she turned and looked at him, taking in his muscled chest, bronze skin, and the barely concealed bulge behind his towel.

  Peri shivered, but it had nothing to do with the cold.

  Chapter Nine

  He shouldn’t touch her.

  Ronin knew the moment he’d heard Peri crying in the shower that he should have turned and walked away.

  But he couldn’t ignore her or her pain.

  As he stared at her now—her pretty face framed by wet hair—he knew he should walk away now, as well. “Peri—”

  She moved, and lay back on his bed, letting go of her towel at the same time.

  Every muscle in his body went rigid. She was so damn beautiful. All toned muscles and subtle curves.

  “Touch me, Ronin.” She cupped her breasts.

  “So damn pretty, Peri.” And strong. Her arms and legs were lean and trim.

  She slid one hand down her belly, and then lower. She had a small patch of copper curls between her legs, and when she touched herself, she made a small noise in the back of her throat. His cock throbbed, and he watched with avid hunger. He knew he couldn’t look away, even if the station was on fire.

  She gasped, her lips parting, and she spread her legs a little. “Don’t you want to touch me, Ronin?”

  He growled. “Are you trying to seduce me?”

  She made a choked sound. “Well, if I wait for you, we’ll both be old and gray and still staring at each other when we think the other isn’t looking.”

  Her fingers stroked between her folds and she moaned.

  Ronin’s control snapped.

  He pressed a knee to the bed and leaned over her. He rarely took what he wanted. All his life, he’d forced down his own desires. But now, he lowered his head and slammed his mouth down on hers. The kiss was wild and hungry. Then, he trailed his mouth down her neck, across her collarbone, and over her breasts. He sucked one nipple into his mouth.

  She arched up, her hands sliding into his hair. “Yes, right there.”

  He liked a woman who knew what she wanted. He licked and then blew on her nipple, watching it pucker even more. He slid his mouth across to her other breast. When she writhed beneath him, he slid downward, pressing kisses to her belly.

  “Do you want my mouth on you, Peri?”

  Her hips rolled. “Yes.”

  He moved lower. “You’re so pretty here, too. And wet.”

  “Now!”

  “When I say.” He nipped at her thigh and loved her small cry. “I’m going to lick you, suck you, and make you come. Don’t you dare hold anything back, Peri. I want it all.”

  Her breaths were coming in hard pants. “Okay.”

  He dragged a knuckle through her wet folds. “Gorgeous.” Then he leaned forward and licked her.

  She came up off the bed, but he held her down with his other hand. He delved his tongue inside her. Damn, she tasted so fucking good.

  Her hands tugged hard at his hair. “I need you, Ronin. So bad.”

  He teased her swollen clit with the tip of his tongue, and slid a finger inside her. Her moan was long and loud. He kept teasing her, could spend all night right here. He slid a second finger inside her, and the need was a brutal, wild thing slamming through him with every beat of his heart. As he worked her, her moans turned ragged and impatient.

  Her strong thighs wrapped around his head, and he moved to close his mouth on her clit. He licked once and then sucked.

  Her hips rocked up, her heels sinking into his shoulders. Her orgasm hit her hard, and as a cry ripped out of her, he slid a hand up to her lips. She bit down on his palm to muffle her cries.

  When Ronin raised his head, air sawing in and out of his lungs, she was lying in a boneless sprawl on his bed. Damn. Her eyes were glowing, her cheeks were flushed, and he’d never seen anything quite as tempting.

  His cock was rock hard and throbbing painfully.

  He was reaching for her again, when a knock pounded on the door. Ronin froze.

  “Ready to eat, Coop?” Dec called out.

  Peri giggled softly. “You already did.”

  Ronin pressed his palm over her mouth. “I’ll meet you there.”

  She pressed a kiss to his palm.

  “Roger that,” Dec said, through the door.

  Great. Dec had almost caught him naked with their client. Yes, Dec had married a former client, and half of THS had fallen in love on various missions, but it wasn’t a line Ronin had ever crossed before. Hadn’t ever been tempted to cross.

  He felt Peri’s hand graze his stomach and he caught it before it went lower. He dropped his forehead to hers. “This shouldn’t have happened.”

  She stiffened. “Why?”

  She expected him to have a rational conversation while she was lying naked beneath him? He rose off the bed and tightened the towel around his waist. “You’ve had a shock, and you’re a client—”

  “Oh, pfft.” She stood, completely naked and unconcerned, with her hands on her hips. “You can lie to yourself all you want, Ronin. Yes, I’ve had a shock, and I’m a client. So what? Thank you for giving me something else—something really great, and pleasurable, and sexy—to think about. It was nice to feel good for the first time in weeks.” She snatched up her towel and wrapped it around herself, tucking the end between her breasts, then she picked up her scattered clothing. “I’m going to get dressed. You can stay here and brood, and think up some better excuses as to why we shouldn’t be naked together, in bed, with your cock inside me, while I’m gone.” She winked at him, then looked down at his tented towel. “You can also dream of me returning the favor at a later date. I know I will be.”

  With that parting line, she slipped out the door.

  Ronin dropped onto his bed with a groan. Her words echoed in his head, and a jumble of X-rated images formed. He closed his eyes. Damn, woman.

  Peri tossed in her bunk. She glanced at the glow of her watch on the bedside table and saw that she’d dozed for a few hours. But now she was wide awake in the middle of the night.

  With a huff, she tossed the covers off and climbed out of bed. She needed the bathroom, and to curse a certain stubborn-ass man a few more times in her head. He’d practically ignored her at dinner and then disappeared.

  She’d never worked this hard for a man before. If she wasn’t convinced he was worth it…

  Shaking her head, Peri hurried barefoot down the hall. Out of her room, the air felt quite chilly. In the bathroom, the lights were on very low, and she quickly used the toilet and then washed her hands in the small sink. She stared at her face in the small mirror. A face very similar to her sister’s…

  Suddenly, she saw a flash of movement in the mirror. She turned to see who’d entered the bathroom when white filled her vision.

  Plastic fabric covered her face and then pulled tight at her neck. She coughed, bringing her hands up to tear at the fabric. Someone was choking her with one of the shower curtains.

  Peri’s attacker tugged her to the floor, pulling hard on the fabric. She tried to draw in a breath, but the plastic sucked up against her mouth. She couldn’t breathe!

  She started kicking and thrashing, and her attacker grunted. Whoever it was, they were strong. Peri twisted, trying to tug at the fabric.

  It wasn’t budging.

  Her lungs started to burn and her vision wavered. Fuck, no. She wasn’t dying here in Antarctica, and especially not before she’d rescued her sister. She rolled to the side, trying to break free. Her body rammed into something, and it fell over and crashed to the floor.

  All of a sudden, the hard grip on the shower curtain was gone. Peri struggled to sit up, vaguely aware of slamming doors and shouts over the sawing of h
er breaths.

  “Peri!”

  Ronin skidded to his knees beside her, tearing the shower curtain off her. As his arms wrapped round her, she held onto him tight.

  “What the hell happened?” Dec asked from the doorway.

  Peri blinked. “Can I get some water please?”

  A second later, Dec shoved a bottle at them and Peri chugged some water back.

  “Peri?” Ronin brushed her hair back off her face. “What happened?”

  “Someone attacked me. Tried to strangle me with the shower curtain.”

  Ronin went deathly still and she watched as his narrowed gaze went to the white plastic on the floor nearby. A scary look moved over his face.

  “Ronin.” Peri scrambled up on her knees, her hands digging into his arms. “You can’t kill anyone.”

  “Yes, I can.”

  “Dec!” She looked up at him.

  The other man nodded. “I’ve got it, Peri. Ronin, you take care of her, and Logan and I will track down the bastard who attacked her. You see him?”

  Peri shook her head. “I saw white plastic and was kind of busy struggling to breathe. I don’t even know if it was a man or a woman.”

  Ronin made a low growling sound and she pressed her face against his chest.

  “What’s happening?” Melinda’s raised voice.

  “Someone attacked Peri in the bathroom,” Dec answered.

  “What?” A disheveled Lars appeared right behind Melinda. “She must have slipped and fallen.”

  Peri shot the man a wry look. “Right. This is from a fall.” She waved at her sore neck.

  Ronin made another dangerous noise, his fingers brushing the angry red marks on her skin. He looked ready to kill someone. She became aware of everyone staring at them from the hall, voices arguing, and the icy coolness of the floor beneath her.

  “Uh…G-Man, could you get me out of here?”

  Ronin gave her a single nod and then Peri found herself swept into his arms. Moments later, she was back in her room and he was setting her down on the bed. Feeling chilled, she pulled her knees up to her chest.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  She nodded. “I’m alive.” She pressed her cheek to her knee. “Some asshole here must work for Silk Road.”

  “Yes. Dec will already be working with Mel to figure out who.” A muscle ticked in Ronin’s jaw. “It’s standard Silk Road MO. They infiltrate everywhere and find vulnerable people who need money or are hungry for power.”

  And those were the people who had Amber.

  Peri felt the walls of the small room closing in on her. She swallowed a few times, trying to calm herself. She was usually pretty unflappable, but this entire situation, and now the attack in the shower, had left her tense and edgy.

  “Ronin?”

  “Yes.”

  “I need some air.”

  His gaze sharpened on her. “It’s freezing outside—”

  She shot to her feet, trying to push her panic down. “I don’t care.”

  He kept staring at her, then he nodded. “Get your gear on.”

  It only took Peri minutes to pull on her gear and boots. Soon, she and Ronin were pulling on their coats and hoods, and stepping out into the frigid night air.

  Outside on the deck, Peri stumbled to a stop. “Oh, my God.”

  “That’s damn impressive,” Ronin said, awe in his voice. “The southern lights.”

  The storm had cleared and the entire night sky was painted an incredible palette of fuchsia pink, bright purples, and brilliant blues. Behind it, was the stunning display of the Milky Way.

  “The aurora australis,” Peri murmured. “I was here at the wrong time to see it last time.”

  They sat down on one of the steps, pressed together hip to hip and thigh to thigh. Once again, Peri found herself comforted by the solid presence of him. With his big body so close, she easily recalled how it felt to have his dark head between her legs, licking at her.

  Desire curled in her belly and she felt a rush of dampness arrow between her thighs. She shifted a little.

  Ronin slipped an arm across her shoulders. “Look up, Peri.”

  She did, captured by the magnificent view. She felt the tension drain out of her. “Tell me something no one else knows.”

  “A secret?” he asked.

  “Anything.”

  “I picked the name Ronin when I was eight.”

  She turned to look at him now. He was still looking up at the sky. “Tell me.”

  “The hospital called me John, but once I entered the system, I was named Michael. Cooper was the surname of the first family I was placed with, but when I was eight, I learned about the ronin.”

  “It’s Japanese, right?” she said.

  He nodded. “My foster mother at the time told me I looked like I might have a little Japanese in me.”

  Peri studied his face, and guessed it was possible from his cheekbones and the shape of his eyes.

  “A ronin was a samurai warrior without a master,” he said. “A wanderer or drifter. The one I read about symbolized loyalty, sacrifice, and persistence.”

  Just like this man who was fascinating her more with every hour. “I think Ronin is the perfect name for you.”

  “It was something I took for myself, that no one could take away.”

  She leaned her head on his shoulder. “That’s why I want a home. A place that’s mine, filled with my things, and no one can take it away.”

  “And a beagle.”

  “Named Porthos.”

  “After one of the Musketeers?”

  She nodded. “We were traveling through France when I was about ten. A lady in the village where we were staying had a beagle who’d had three pups. They were so cute and named Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Porthos climbed out of his basket and licked my face. It was love at first sight.”

  “I hope you get your Porthos one day, Peri.”

  “Right now, I’ll settle for my sister.”

  His arm tightened. “Tomorrow. We’ll find her.”

  Peri prayed he was right. “What do you think Silk Road is after?”

  “Something dangerous. They’re driven by money and power. But we took down one of their key people on our last mission, and something tells me whatever they’re looking for will be something very dangerous. Something to help them shore up their power base.”

  She shivered.

  “We need to get some more rest,” he said. “We have a big day tomorrow.”

  Instantly, she felt her muscles tense. Going back inside didn’t make her feel happy. “Ronin, will you stay with me?”

  His arm tightened on her. “I’m sure as hell not leaving you alone again. You sleep and I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

  Warmth trickled through her chest. For the first time in her life, she knew in her bones that the person holding her wouldn’t let her down.

  Chapter Ten

  The next day dawned bright and sunny. Peri walked down the steps of the main building, and out onto the snow.

  Ahead, three snowmobiles loaded with supplies, waited.

  Lars was standing beside one vehicle, talking quietly with Declan, Logan, and Ronin. He was going to be their guide to the pyramid. Dec had apprised Melinda, Lars, and Gabriela of some of the situation with Silk Road, and the three station leaders had agreed to keep it quiet. They weren’t happy about the fact that one of their own might be a traitor, but they didn’t want anyone else to die.

  Peri took a deep breath of crisp, clear air. She’d slept well for the rest of the night. After the attack, she’d thought she’d never get to sleep, but with Ronin’s big body wrapped around her, she’d fallen asleep almost as soon as her head had touched her pillow.

  She looked over at Ronin, drinking in his strong form. Even in his bulky black jacket, he snagged her attention. Strength with a dark edge. In the past, she’d always gone for easygoing guys who enjoyed travel and adventure. Apparently dark, dangerous, and intense was her new type. No
t done with you yet, G-Man.

  As she approached, the men all called out to her, and she raised a gloved hand.

  “Ready to head out?” Dec asked.

  “Yes.”

  Lars nodded. “Excellent. The weather looks good, but things can change in a heartbeat. Best to get moving.”

  The men broke off to their snowmobiles.

  Ronin looked down at her. “I’m driving today.”

  She inclined her head. “That sounds fair.”

  He climbed on the machine and she settled behind him. He started the engine, the vibrations going through her. Instantly, she thought of riding his bike with him. God, that felt like weeks ago.

  She leaned forward. “Look at that. Here you are between my legs again.”

  His big body jolted and Peri smiled to herself.

  “Behave,” he growled.

  She bit back a smile, and settled her goggles over her face. Moments later, they all pulled out, slicing across the snow. Lars was in the lead, followed by Dec and Logan, with Peri and Ronin bringing up the rear of their group.

  The bright sun reflected off the snow and ice. Peri breathed deep. Everything looked so fresh, pristine, and untouched. Could there really be the ruins of an ancient civilization buried under the ice?

  Soon, the mountains rose up ahead, dark rock poking up through the snow. The peaks all looked natural to her.

  They skirted some rough ground, and kept moving.

  A short while later, Lars pulled to a stop, and the other two snowmobiles flanked him.

  “There,” the scientist said, pointing.

  Peri turned her head and sucked in a breath. Their goal sat at the end of a line of hills. A perfect pyramid of dark rock, spearing skyward through the snow.

  They set off again, getting closer and closer. Peri kept her gaze trained on the rock. It was incredible, although she couldn’t tell if nature had made it, or man. They zoomed past one side of the structure, and she scanned the surface. There were no signs of carvings or doorways, but the side looked very smooth and regular. It wasn’t made of blocks of stone like the Egyptian pyramids.

  Turning in a wide arc, they circled the pyramid. She noticed that Ronin was less interested in the pyramid, and kept studying the land around them, instead. She realized he was looking for any sign of Silk Road.