Simon Says (Guardians of the Dark Book 1) Read online

  “Necessity is the mother of invention yet again, I suppose.” Mariana sighed and he knew she was upset by the horrific deaths her unknown colleagues had caused.

  They pulled up in front of her house and Simon turned to her.

  “Stay put for a minute while I check the perimeter, okay?” He waited for her nod of agreement before he set off. He couldn’t be too careful with her safety. She had already been stalked by these creatures twice. That was twice too many times as far as he was concerned. He shuddered to think how he would have felt if she’d been infected and he’d had the grim task of ending her.

  He frankly didn’t know if he could survive it.

  When he was satisfied the perimeter around the cabin was clear, he motioned for her to leave her vehicle. She joined him by the front entry and he continued to scan the area as she unlocked the door.

  He went in first, just to be certain the house remained undisturbed since their departure. Everything was as it should be and he ushered her inside, locking the door tight behind them. He breathed easy for the first time that morning.

  “I have to call Sykes.”

  “I’ll make a bite for us to eat. I don’t know about you, but I need fuel and then sleep.”

  “Sounds like the perfect plan.” He pulled her close for a quick hug and kissed the top of her head before letting her go. He needed to touch her, to be sure she was really there and really all right. It was a need in his blood that grew stronger with every passing minute.

  He went into the living room to make his call while she headed for the kitchen.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Mariana could hear Simon’s deep murmuring voice coming from the living room, though she couldn’t tell what he was saying. She liked having him in her house. He made her feel safe, even in this horrific situation.

  She put together a few sandwiches for them, unwilling and unable to spend a lot of energy on cooking anything more complex at the moment. They needed something to eat and they needed sleep. Both of them had been up all night, and while Mariana had gotten used to pulling all-nighters and double shifts as a young intern, it had been a while since she’d been called upon to stretch her endurance to the limit. She had been running on adrenaline for the past few hours and desperately needed some real, deep, healing sleep.

  She figured Simon was only a little better off than she was. While he’d trained himself to run on little to no sleep, at some point the human body needed to crash and recharge. They’d spent all day yesterday sleeping in short snatches between furious bouts of lovemaking. While she felt more relaxed than she had in years, neither of them had really gotten any deep, restorative sleep. They both had to be running on fumes today.

  “Sykes is up to date. He’s going to send the cleanup team to the neighbors’ house first, then they’ll fix up your yard.” Simon came into the kitchen and snagged one of the sandwiches she was about to place on a serving platter. He ate half of it before she could even blink an eye.

  He took the platter out of her hands and ushered her to the table, setting the plate of sandwiches between them as they both sat. She grabbed a sandwich and ate mechanically, knowing she needed the nutrition but not really tasting the food at all. She was just too tired. She was aware of Simon watching her as the silence dragged. Looking at him, she had to catch her breath at the glitter of emotion in his eyes. There was a mixture of longing, care, and a hint of possession that made her feel oddly cherished.

  “Eat up, Mari.” He tipped the platter toward her and urged her to take another of the sandwich halves she had prepared. After she took another, he got up and fished two tall glasses out of a cupboard and filled them both with ice cold milk from her refrigerator.

  “How did your talk go with the commander?” she asked as he placed one of the glasses in front of her and sat back down.

  “He wasn’t thrilled that you’d been stalked twice. There will be some top secret paperwork added to your file, and the op file, that will cover you with the brass should they get wind of this operation at some point in the future. For now, everything is being kept need-to-know and will likely remain so for many years to come. Nobody wants a repeat of this. What really concerns me is that if the limited success in my case was known, some moron somewhere would try this again. Only five people know what really happened to me and all the written and electronic records of my treatment have been wiped. It was one of the conditions I put on taking this mission. I didn’t want to become a lab rat they would poke at until they figured out how I survived. This thing is just too dangerous.”

  “Smart thinking.” Simon had always been brilliant. He was right to realize that the scientists wouldn’t leave him alone if they knew about his survival and his new healing abilities. He was in a dangerous situation, even without the creatures he was hunting. If the wrong kind of person knew what his body could do, he might just be in a world of trouble. “Who are the five people that know about you?”

  “Matt Sykes, the civilian doctor, and two nurses that treated me when I was sick, and now you.”

  “Are you sure you can trust them all?”

  “I trust you without question.” She liked the way he put her at the head of the list. His trust was something she knew wasn’t easily given. “Matt Sykes and I go way back. He’s one of my oldest and best friends. He won’t betray me. The civilian doctor is an older fellow. After I was bitten, I didn’t report it. The op was over and I went to my apartment off base to crash. I don’t remember anything until two days later when I dragged myself to a local clinic. I felt too sick to make it to the base hospital, but as it turned out, that was probably the best move for me. The man who runs the clinic, Doctor Shepard, is like an old-fashioned country doctor. He was trained by the best, and moved to the small town outside the base when his oldest boy was killed in action a few years back. He says I remind him of his son. Doc Shepard was the first to point out what a problem I’d have if that science team learned what happened to me. He gave me the original records that would’ve betrayed anything about my rapid healing, and destroyed the rest. He thought I might need them down the road if something went wrong, but felt nobody else should know unless I wanted them to.”

  “Sounds like a smart man.” Mariana began to think maybe Simon was in the clear—as much as possible—from being turned into a human guinea pig. “Who were the nurses?”

  “One was Doctor Shepard’s wife, Matilda. The other was Jenny Shepard, the doctor’s daughter-in-law. It was her husband who’d been killed in action. I don’t think either of those ladies would betray me. They watched over me for weeks in their clinic. After I dragged myself to his office, I pretty much collapsed. He took me in and those women nursed me while I was out of it. I owe them my life.”

  “You got really lucky, Simon.”

  “I know. Things could have gone a lot worse for me, especially early on, if the military science team had known what happened. Doctor Shepard helped me clear things with the military doctors. He told them I had pneumonia and I used up all my accumulated leave. I went back, finished the few weeks on my tour, and retired as planned. I contacted Matt Sykes and told him what had happened because I knew he still had a big problem on his hands, and I was the only one who could safely go in and solve it.”

  “So you volunteered for this duty?” It didn’t really surprise her. Simon wasn’t the type to sit idle when he knew there was something he could do to help.

  “I knew if they sent others, they’d most likely die and become zombies, exacerbating the problem. I knew the score about the creatures and I’d already figured out a little about hunting them from that first op.” He shrugged as if it was no big deal. “I knew I could do this without risking too much and save other guys’ lives in the bargain. What choice did I have?”

  It went without saying that he could have chosen to stay out of it. He wasn’t in the military anymore. He didn’t have to follow orders unless he chose to.

  “So you were going to retire even before you got bitte
n?”

  He nodded. “It was all arranged. A job was all lined up for me with the mercs. That came in handy when Sykes wanted to hire me. Everything’s being run through the merc company in the swamp. In reality, I’m an independent contractor for both the merc group and Sykes. Having the mercs as middle man helps keep the paperwork muddled enough so nobody will ever figure out what exactly Uncle Sam hired me to do or where I’m doing it.”

  “Convenient.” She finished her sandwich and reached for her glass of milk, finishing that, too. There was a holder with paper napkins on the table and she took one to rid herself of crumbs.

  “That’s a specialty of theirs. When a job is too distasteful to run through official channels, the independent contractors ride to the rescue. Or so their recruiters say. Personally, I wasn’t convinced until it happened to me.”

  “Do you plan to stay with the mercenary group after this mission is over?” She tried not to show how much that worried her.

  “Frankly, with what they’re paying me, I could retire tomorrow and be well off for the rest of my life. It pays well to be the only person in the world who can safely hunt zombies.” He winked at her comically and even through her exhaustion, she had to laugh. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’ll no doubt take some time off. Preferably on some tropical island with an umbrella drink in my hand and warm waves lapping at my toes.” He ate silently for a moment, polishing off the last of the sandwiches. “What about you, Mari? You’re retiring in a few weeks. What plans have you made? Nobody on base seems to know where you’ll go next.”

  “You’ve been asking around about me?” She was just sleepy enough to tease him with more candor than she would’ve otherwise used.

  “A good soldier always does detailed recon.” His smug expression prompted her to throw her balled-up napkin at him. He ducked with a grin. “So what are your plans? Got a job waiting?”

  She pretended to fume for a moment more before relenting. “Actually, I was going to take some time off myself. I’ve had a few offers, from private practice to a big city hospital, but I haven’t made up my mind yet. I thought I deserved a long vacation before I jump back in with both feet. In fact, your tropical paradise sounds like just the ticket.”

  “Great minds think alike.” He saluted her with his glass and drained it. “Now what are your feelings about bed? I need to crash and all I can think about is your nice soft sheets, that comfortable mattress, and you tucked close in my arms. My own personal hot water bottle.”

  If she’d had another napkin in her hand, she would’ve thrown that, too, as he got up and put their dishes in the sink. She loved his teasing. When he teased, he was truly comfortable. It was when he was tense that he became the serious soldier she had known for the first few weeks of their courtship. When he relaxed was when he was at his most charming, and most desirable. At least to her.

  “I don’t like being called a hot water bottle, Simon. That’s not exactly a compliment.” She pretended to be annoyed by his unflattering comparison.

  “To me it is.” He grabbed her around the waist as she stood, drawing her back against his chest, nuzzling her neck playfully. “I dream about hot water bottles when I’m stuck on the cold ground in a bivouac. I’ve even fantasized about hot water bottles a time or two when I was doing cold weather training in Alaska. Mariana-shaped hot water bottles, who called my name as I made them come.”

  “You have a very kinky imagination.” Mock outrage filled her breathless words as he cupped her breasts through the thin fabric of her T-shirt.

  “You love my kinky imagination, Mari. Come on, admit it.” He nipped her earlobe and she squirmed in his arms. Damn, the man still knew just how to touch her to make her burn.

  “I plead the Fifth.” She reached back to tangle her hands in the short hairs at the back of his neck, pushing her breasts more fully into his grasp. His hands went up under her T-shirt and right to the front clasp of her bra, parting it so he could touch her skin. Mariana whimpered and moaned.

  “Then admit this, Mari. Admit you want me.” He whispered in her ear, his warm breath sliding past her defenses to fan the flame of arousal in her blood.

  “Yes, Simon. I want you. I always want you.”

  His low chuckle made her squirm. “Now that’s the kind of thing I like to hear.”

  He turned with her in his arms and walked them both out of the kitchen toward the bedroom. Her shirt was tossed off along the way, as was her bra. Her jeans ended up in a heap next to his at the door to her bedroom.

  She pushed at his shirt until he, too, was naked and they tumbled onto the bed together. Their limbs tangled and twined as he sought and captured her mouth with his. The kiss was tempestuous, like nothing that had come before. They rolled until she was on top, her thighs spread on either side of his hips, ready in an instant to take him and ride him to oblivion. Simon had always been able to flip her switch with a single touch. Mariana slowed down, a moment of sanity prevailing. Protection first.

  Reaching for her nightstand drawer, she fished out a condom from her dwindling emergency supply and ripped the package open. Sliding down his thighs, she took her time about covering him, enjoying the way he watched her, his eyes half lidded and oh so sexy.

  “Don’t tease, Mari. Come back up here.”

  “In good time.” She leaned in closer to use her tongue on his exposed skin. She liked the way he twitched in her hands.

  “No time like the present.” His words were strained and his fists were clenched at his sides. Oh yeah, she was getting to him.

  A grin spread across her face as she prowled up his body, trailing her lips and tongue over his abdomen and chest. He was hot, hard, and ridged in all the right places and she relished the opportunity to discover him all over again. It had been years since they’d been together and the previous day had been a blur of urgent need. There hadn’t really been a chance for her to study him in detail.

  “You’ve aged well, Simon. I think you’re even more muscular than you were before. Have you been working out?”

  The half-teasing question startled a laugh out of him. He reached for her, sliding his hands under her arms and lifting her over him. Yes, indeed, he must have been working out. At least, he was a lot stronger than she remembered.

  “I’ve lived in interesting times since I last saw you, Mari.” His expression clouded just for a second and she realized there was more truth to his words than he wanted to let on. “It makes a man hard.” He realized his double entendre and gave her a lopsided grin. “Scratch that. You make me hard. You always have, sweetheart. Now what are you going to do about it?”

  She straddled him, sliding over his hardness with teasing intensity. His eyes followed her movements, half lidded and sexy.

  “I believe you deserve a reward for all that hard living.” She teased as she took the tip of him inside. Little by little, she lowered over him, enjoying the feel of him stretching her. She was still just a little sore from the marathon they’d engaged in the day before but she went at a slow pace, allowing her body time to adjust.

  “I like your rewards, ma’am.” Simon lifted his hips gently, joining them fully.

  “If you’re good, I may have to reward you again, soldier.” She gasped as she settled over him, taking him fully. She loved the way he felt inside her. For just a moment, she held position, cataloging the feel of him, the width and breadth of him, the way they fit so perfectly together. Nothing and no one had ever felt as right as Simon did.

  “Oh, I plan to be very, very good.” His teasing tone made her laugh and the moment was lost. She had to move. It was a biological and spiritual imperative.

  Mariana repositioned herself, arranging her legs to give her better purchase, then began a slow, sliding rhythm. She shimmied her hips to get his full attention and his sleepy gaze rose from watching the place where they joined, pausing at her bouncing breasts momentarily and then finally to meet her gaze. She licked her lips, offering him a sinful smile.

  “Like wh
at you see?” Her head tilted to one side playfully.

  “More than like, as I’m sure you can tell.” He winked at her and moved his hands to her hips, guiding her into a faster rhythm. “Lean down here and I’ll show you how much.”

  She did as he asked and his hands rose to cup her breasts. He knew just how to touch her to make her whimper with need. Just how much pressure to use to draw out her most explosive response.

  “That much, eh?” She leaned into him, trying for a sexy grin. She must’ve succeeded because his fingers contracted, just slightly, and she saw his eyes darken with even deeper desire.

  “Play time’s over.” In a split second, he moved his hands to her back, supporting her as he rolled them over so that she was flat on her back on the bed and he rose over her. “Now let me show you just how good I can be.” He nipped her neck before drawing back, kneeling between her spread thighs as he began a rough, urgent pace that grew in intensity with each long stroke.

  All coherent thought fled as he possessed her, pushed her higher, lost all control in the glorious union of their bodies. She surrendered all to him and felt his surrender in return. At least, that’s what it felt like. That’s what she thought she read in his eyes. What she felt in every touch of his body, every stroke that claimed her, pleasured her and turned her inside out.

  “Come for me now, Mari. Come with me.” His deep voice spurred her on, ordering her desire, commanding her pleasure. She could do nothing but comply, her body responding to his mastery as she had never responded to any other man.

  Mariana shuddered as he pounded into her in short digs. Her climax hit her all at once, rocketing her to the sky and back down, only to climb even higher on the next wave. She screamed his name as he groaned. She felt him surge into her one last time as they both came hard. Together.

  Dare she hope it could last forever?

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Simon realized he must’ve slept far longer than he had intended. The sun was low in the sky, but there was still time to eat and make love to his woman once more before he had to go out and hunt.