Nike's Wings Read online

  “Damn,” he said, softly. “They are here. The hostages are here.”

  Ty nodded. “According to Callie, the others are on the north side of the camp.”

  It cut their search area, and the danger of being caught, by more than half.

  “Mr. Gallegos,” she said softly, “isn’t doing too well.”

  She looked worried.

  It wasn’t good news.

  “They beat him pretty badly at the beginning and for some reason they still beat on him. They don’t seem to like him very much.”

  It wasn’t a surprise. Big oil had been raping South America for some time of all its best oil fields without sharing much of the profits with the native population. In almost all of those countries most of the people lived below the poverty level. Far below. Some called for their countries to take the oil fields back and give the oil companies a wakeup call. Even Ty couldn’t entirely blame them.

  The only problem was that people like Callie Martin or the oil field workers who had been kidnapped before her paid the price for it. Ty had been more worried about her than Reeves or Gallegos. At least the men had to some extent chosen to be where they were. Callie Martin had walked into it completely blind, there by virtue of her father’s occupation.

  Buck nodded, grimly, at her statement.

  Reaching out, Ty turned the lamp down to nothing. That plunged the room into near darkness save for the light cast by the fire in the center of the main camp and filtered through the chinks between the boards.

  Ty looked at Callie. “Stay here. We’ll be back.”

  She nodded, watched as they drew their weapons, and slipped silently out.

  Night settled in the dripping rain forest. Callie peered out through a crack in the wall.

  There was nothing to be seen. Nothing moved, at least to her eyes. Certainly not the two men who kept to the shadows.

  Buck took point.

  Ty and Buck eliminated Santiago’s well-guarded cottage instantly, staying warily away from it.

  At one point, they’d considered trying to take Santiago out, but it was just too risky. Especially not knowing whether the hostages were definitely there or where in the camp they were.

  With a gesture, Buck indicated one of the other cottages. A guard stood in front of the small, cramped shack. Given what Callie had said, it was likely where Gallegos was being held.

  Keeping in the shadows, they moved carefully behind it.

  Buck risked a quick light, flashed it inside the little hut just long enough to see the man huddled there. At this hour, he was asleep.

  Gallegos.

  Buck nodded.

  Moving quietly, Ty covered Buck’s back, watching for any sign of alarm or awareness as they circled back and found another hut - this one a little cleaner, a little more solid. It, too, was guarded and occupied.

  Reeves.

  He was the last piece they needed.

  With the location of the hostages known and marked, they could plan the rescue.

  They made their way silently back to their own quarters. Ty could almost feel Buck’s eyes on him.

  “Rough night, pal,” Buck said, softly, sympathetically.

  Until then, Ty had tried not to think about it. All he could do was play it by ear.

  Callie Martin stood in the corner where he’d left her, her eyes watchful and wary.

  There was only one other thing and it would be awkward.

  Very softly, Ty said, “If they come in the morning…” They would expect him to be in bed. Naked. With her.

  It took a second and then Callie got it.

  “Oh,” she said, softly, and bit her lip.

  For a minute, she just looked at him.

  Then she grinned and said, wryly, “I’ve seen pictures.”

  This time he was the one who had to stifle a laugh. Still, he was clearly hesitant.

  He had a great smile when he wasn’t being so serious, Callie thought.

  She looked at him. “That‘s the closest to a bed than I’ve been for over a month.”

  It was nothing more than the truth. They’d given her a colorless moth-eaten woolen blanket and nothing more. Despite everything, a part of her longed for it, for the comfort of it.

  Slipping beneath the thin blanket, she wriggled a little as first her once-white shirt was discarded and then she shucked out of her jeans. Bra and panties followed.

  Gritting his teeth, Ty looked at the lacy feminine underwear.

  It took a full minute before he could even manage to consider sliding in beside her, despite the fact it would blow his and Buck’s cover if he didn’t. If she had the courage to do it, though, he could hardly do less.

  Clenching his teeth, he drew his shirt off.

  For a moment, Callie’s breath caught as she looked at Ty Connor and her mouth went dry for reasons other than fear.

  Beneath that shirt he was lean, well-muscled, an absolutely beautiful man.

  She bit her lip as he slid onto the narrow cot beside her, awkwardly sliding off his slacks beneath the covers until he was naked beside her.

  Now that did feel a little weird, especially since he was rather startlingly aware of her as she could now very definitely tell. Since it was little more than a cot, there was no way they could both occupy it without touching, and even this much touch was clearly having an effect on him.

  She needed a second before she could make herself look at him. His expression more than told her what he was…experiencing.

  She swallowed hard.

  Oddly, for the first time in a month, though, she felt safe.

  Involuntarily, she spread her hand across the muscles of his chest, strong and firm. He was very warm. She was truly warm for the first time in what seemed like forever. His body felt wonderful against hers. She curled against him.

  Ty was somewhat amused to note she couldn’t look him in the eye at first, but slowly she relaxed.

  Trustingly, she curled against him, laid her head on his shoulder, her young, lush body pressed against his. He could feel every inch of her body against him, down to the tight curls between her thighs against his hip. The feel of her fingers drifting across his chest, the look in her eyes, though, made him crazy. He bit back a groan as she caressed him.

  With an effort, Ty caught her hand. He was already far too aware of her firm breasts pressed against his skin. Having her touch him like that, even innocently, was too much. It was driving him insane.

  “Callie,” he said, “you have to stop. I’m only human.”

  She looked up at him with a mix of surprise and wonder on her face, a glimmer of humor, and then her eyes shadowed. Ty closed his eyes, following her thought.

  Callie thought of Santiago, of the way he looked at her. The way he’d touched her…

  That brief sense of safety evaporated.

  She shuddered and curled closer against him, almost huddling into him.

  “What’s wrong?” Ty asked.

  But he knew. Even as he tightened his arms around her, he knew. It wasn’t a stretch to guess.

  Callie found she couldn’t look at him again, but this time for a different reason.

  “How long until you can come back, get us out of here?”

  A week he’d said, maybe longer.

  “I don’t know,” he said, not daring to give her even a hint that she might let slip and inadvertently betray her own rescue. If Santiago became suspicious…if he asked questions…

  It was nothing but the truth. A number of factors would come into play.

  “Santiago asked if I was a virgin,” she said, suddenly.

  A chill went through him. He tightened his arms around her.

  What about Santiago’s intent…?

  Callie’s sun-lightened hair brushed across his chest. Color washed over her face. Embarrassment.

  “He checked.” She swallowed hard. “He touched me.”

  Ty knew exactly what she meant. He closed his eyes.

  She hesitated, pressed her cheek t
o his chest.

  “If something happens between now and then…” she said and took a breath. “If something happens, I don’t want to die a virgin and I don’t want to die with that, with him…being the last time, the only time…”

  Instincts warred inside him.

  Rolling onto his side, cradling her in the crook of his arm, he looked down into her lovely young face and said, “Do you know what you’re asking me to do?”

  She looked up at him. “I’d much rather it was you than Santiago.”

  It was a very real fear. And not without some validity, Ty knew. Santiago had a reputation. He was brutal. Ty had feared it from the moment he’d seen that picture of her.

  But Santiago had saved her, as a present.

  For him.

  A virgin. He would be the first one to touch her. It was an honor, a gift she gave him and he knew it.

  They hadn’t touched her yet.

  This was why Santiago had given her to him, because she was still a virgin, something that was still prized here.

  And once he thought the present was unwrapped?

  The idea of Santiago touching her. Of her first experience being that… It ravaged him.

  Reaching up, Callie touched his face, her heart pounding so hard he could feel it against him.

  Her fingers shook. “Please.”

  Ty brushed the hair back from her face.

  It would take a few days, maybe a little longer, to pull everything together. He couldn’t, wouldn’t risk lives – hers or theirs – by rushing. Anything could happen to her in the meantime.

  Santiago had touched her. Had known she was virgin. He’d expect blood on the sheets. And if he had touched her before, he might touch her again. Would touch her again.

  Ty ran his fingers lightly over the patch on her hip. A birth control patch. That was a relief.

  If someone was going to do it, Ty would far rather he be the one than let Santiago take her. At least he would be kind, gentle.

  It would be her first time. Ty could make it easier. He could at least make sure her first time would be as enjoyable an experience as possible under the circumstances.

  “Are you sure?”

  Her lips parted and she nodded.

  Slowly, he lowered his mouth to hers, kissed her gently.

  Callie watched him, afraid to think, afraid, seeing the expressions that chased across it, his blue eyes, as his lips touched hers.

  Warmth rushed through her at the feel of his mouth, as he fit his to hers. She felt his tongue brush over her lips. She gasped a little and then the tip of his tongue slipped into between them. She’d French-kissed before, but this was different somehow. Better. A thrill went through her followed by a rush of heat to parts of her that had never felt so hot, that ached in ways they’d never ached before.

  She slid her hand up into his soft silky hair. The white strands curled around her fingers.

  As naturally as the falling rain outside Ty felt her arch against him, felt her full young breasts press against his chest. She tasted wonderfully sweet and clean. Her hand in his hair surprised him as her tongue tentatively met his, curled around it. Her body though…

  Already he was hard, but he knew he had to be careful with her.

  Those breasts, though, those sweet young breasts, were so full, so firm and lovely… He curled a hand around one and she moaned softly as he cupped it. It swelled sweetly against his hand, filled it. His brain nearly locked as he rubbed a thumb across her nipple and felt it harden. A soft cry escaped her at his touch.

  So young, so responsive. Dear God. He prayed for the willpower to do this right.

  Callie was lost to anything except Ty’s hand and mouth on her, his tongue teasing her mouth and his hand… His hand on her breast… It was so warm. Then he touched her nipple and set it on fire, little electric sparks shot from it through the center of her, deep into her belly. It was heaven.

  His mouth trailed across her cheek as he massaged her breast. The feel of his hand on her was astonishing. Then his mouth touched her throat and sparked a trail of fire behind it. Her body ached, throbbed with needs she couldn’t express.

  Beneath Ty, Callie’s body arched, pressing her breast into his hand. He squeezed, trapped the nipple between his thumb and index finger.

  When his mouth touched the curve of Callie’s throat and shoulder, Ty felt her shiver and gasp. He savored her there for a moment as she stretched and moved against him. Small cries and gasps escaped her. Each one fired his blood. Finally, he cupped her breast in his hand and lowered his mouth to touch that stiff peak.

  A long shuddering sigh whispered from her. Her body went tight as his mouth closed around that sensitive tip. He sucked on it lightly and she nearly sobbed from the pleasure.

  To Ty’s pleasure, her hand curled around his neck, tightened, urged him on.

  Heat raced from Ty’s mouth on her breast to Callie’s core. It pooled deep. Each brush of his lips across it, each nibble, each soft suckle – it drove her crazy. She’d never known sex could be like this. She couldn’t keep still. All she wanted was more. She was delirious with need, with the feel of his mouth on her, the warm stroke of his hand down her side, over her hip. His hand slipped between her thighs, cupped her most intimate parts.

  It was Ty who groaned this time as he combed his fingers between the curls of her mound to feel her moist heat.

  Callie quivered.

  Raising his head, he looked down into her eyes and said, “There are things I can do to prepare you, make it easier. Just try to trust me and relax.”

  Trustingly, half-dazed she nodded.

  He watched her eyes as he touched her core. She was so hot, so wet and so tight. He watched her eyes widen in wonder as her lips parted. Moistening his fingers with the fluids between her thighs, he trailed them up to the small delicate nub between them.

  Ty smiled as he stroked, so gently.

  With absolute delight he watched the astonishment on her face grow, as ecstasy built within her. Her hips pumped as color rushed beneath her skin.

  “That’s it, Callie,” he said, softly. “Let go, trust me and just let go.”

  Pleasure ran from the soles of Callie’s feet to the crown of her head, swirled, gathered, pooled deep inside her. Every part of her jolted and locked as an almost electric heat rushed through her.

  Ty lowered his mouth to her breast and sucked.

  More pleasure, nearly too intense for her to bear.

  Keeping his thumb on the little nub between her thighs, rubbing gently, Ty slid one finger into her hot, tight, wet depths, feeling the barrier there and her body close around it. He groaned in pleasure and anticipation.

  She felt incredible against him, her body young, warm and pliant, arching and quivering to his every touch.

  Carefully, gently, he slid two fingers inside her, to stroke, to stretch her and prepare her for him as he suckled at her nipple.

  She shuddered and moaned softly.

  Deeper, sliding his fingers in and out of her, to her long groan.

  Sliding down her body, he moved to kneel between her slender thighs.

  “Close your eyes, Callie,” Ty said.

  Obediently, her lids fluttered closed as he lowered his mouth to the nub between her thighs and licked lightly.

  It was just as he thought. She’d never known this. Her body grew taut.

  Callie went blind, deaf, thoughtless at the touch of his tongue on her. Pleasure swelled within her as his fingers filled her, as his mouth moved on her most intimate parts.

  Ecstasy exploded through her like a bolt of lightning. It shot from her core to her brain, wiped away everything, but the indescribable pleasure that shot through every limb of her body. Fire raced behind it, spread until it seemed as if she were ablaze. Her body arched and her legs spread instinctively, opening to him.

  Ty lunged up her body so he pressed at the entrance to her. He was so hard.

  “It will hurt for only a minute, Callie, I promise,” he sa
id, fighting for some modicum of control.

  Dazed, she nodded and then he filled her in one smooth movement. A soft moan escaped her.

  She felt a brief flash of pain and then it was gone, replaced by the glorious feeling of Ty inside her. Her hips bucked, thrust against him. She felt so full, so deliciously full. She’d never known it could be like this.

  Instinctively, she drove her hips up against him. She wanted every inch.

  “So sweet, Callie,” Ty groaned, “God, you’re so responsive.”

  She was so incredibly tight and hot, too. Her sweet body writhed beneath him, her hips pumped as he thrust into her. It was – she was – so incredibly good. He stroked into her, reveled in her as she writhed beneath him, her closed in pleasure.

  Her bucking hips asked for more and he gave it, thrusting faster, driving harder. Her soft cries and moans spurred him on.

  Callie felt him swell, throbbing deliciously, delightfully, inside her. She was so filled with him.

  “You feel so good,” she breathed, in wonder, as she looked up at him.

  Braced above her, every muscle in his body taut as he plunged inside her, he was incredibly beautiful.

  Amazed, Ty stared down at her. Those words sent a burst of pleasure through him.

  She arched. Her hands clutched at him, her hips pumped. It was primal, instinctive. She was so young, so innocent.

  He was so hard inside her, so deep and she was tightening around him as the muscles inside her stroked him. Control shattered and he took her completely, wallowed in her. Her body bucked in response, she nearly sobbed with need for him, for the pleasure he gave her. She reached, strove for completion. Suddenly, her eyes widened. Her hips thrust against his.

  At the feel of her body closing around him, Ty lost all semblance of control.

  He erupted inside her, one arm braced on the cot, the other around her hips to drive himself deeper inside her as she writhed beneath him, trying to take in all the pleasure she felt, all the pleasure he gave her. His own pleasure exploded through him as he filled her, emptied into her.

  It was the most incredible thing Callie had ever felt. Her body seemed to become electric and then ecstasy burst through her.