“Hey, gorgeous. ” Kane’s voice filled her head, soft, amused, his voice heavy with the memories of the night they had shared.
Sherra smiled, shaking her head at that tone of voice.
“You’re supposed to be working, stud,” she reminded him, almost laughing at the memory of how that one little word could set his libido on fire.
“Oh, you’re bad,” he chuckled. “I might have to spank you. ”
“Mmm. ” She smiled as she moved across the compound, her steps light, filled with an energy she hadn’t known she could feel. “Sounds interesting. Maybe I could spank you next, though. I think you’d like that, Kane. ”
“Probably too much. ” She could hear the rueful resignation in his voice. “Baby, if your hand is delivering it, I’m sure I couldn’t help but enjoy it. What’s your schedule today?”
“Patrol,” she told him as she reached the small parking lot and the off-road Jeeps parked there. “I’ll be on the west sector providing support as we search some of the caves there for tunnels leading through the mountains. We don’t need anymore missile-toting assassins to come calling anytime soon. ”
Kane snorted at that. “Keep your people out of those caves and let the explosives crew take care of it. We don’t need any more problems if they’ve wired the caverns too. The intel we finally received show some serious security weaknesses there. They would have to guess we’d find them eventually. Don’t take chances. ”
Sherra rolled her eyes at the protectiveness in his tone.
“I’m a big girl, Kane, I know the rules,” she reminded him, smiling for no other reason than the sound of his voice lightened her heart. “I promise to be a good girl. ”
“I’ll meet you in a few hours and we’ll sneak off somewhere for lunch and you can show me just how good you can be,” he suggested, his voice wicked. “I’ll provide the main course, you can provide the dessert. ” His voice dropped, grew husky and filled with sexual promise. Sherra paused beside the Jeep, staring into the clear morning sky, a smile on her lips as Kane filled a part of her she didn’t know existed. She could feel warmth blooming in her heart, heat in her pussy. She wanted him now, not later.
She shook her head at that thought and stepped into the Jeep.
“Get hold of me first,” she told him as she started the engine and reversed the vehicle from its parking slot. “We might have to forgo food for dessert if things are too busy. ”
“Will do. ” She could hear the anticipation, the smile that filled his voice. “Be careful, kitty-mine. See you soon. ”
“Soon,” she whispered in reply as the connection broke and the receiver automatically switched back to the primary channel.
She headed the Jeep to the back of the property and the high gate that guarded the back entrance. The day was looking brighter than ever.
“Sherra, I have my team ready to tackle these caves. When do you intend to give the go-ahead?”
Sherra hid her smile as Jonas Wyatt stalked through the clearing outside the caves in question, his dark face tightened into lines of impatient male arrogance, his light gray eyes flashing in demand. He was going to be a hard one to handle. He had been in Sanctuary only a few months and already he was moving through the Alpha ranks. He had already fought or connived his way to team leader several times over until his rank was only just below that of the main Pride members and Kane’s main team. He was quick, efficient, and cold as ice.
“Sorry I’m late, Jonas. ” She hid her smile as she faced him, refusing to be drawn into a confrontation with him. The alpha genes that raged in that man’s blood were like a virus eating him up. He wouldn’t stop until he ruled his own little corner of the world. She just wished he would hurry up and stake that corner out and get off her back.
It was obvious it grated on his male pride, answering to a woman. Had it been Callan, or even Kane, he would have accepted it easier, but his natural male aggressions seemed to be assuring him that he had no place below her. She found him amusing. He found her irritating.
“Late is an understatement,” he murmured as he came upon her, facing her with narrowed eyes and thin lips. “The day is going to be gone before we get the main tunnels covered. The last thing we need are more of those bastards slipping through. ”
She stopped, propping her hands on her hips and stared around the clearing, evaluating the team members, equipment, and quickly assessing and prioritizing what needed to be done.
“Let’s get started. ” She breathed in deeply. “Watch for…”
“Wires, sound sensors and heat activators,” he growled. “I know my job. ”
“Then do it,” she griped in return. “Damn, Jonas, it’s not like I’m trying to take your place here. You’re team leader, big boy, go for it. ”
Surprise flashed in the narrowed eyes.
“I have two of my teams in there already,” he grunted, surprising her now. “I was tired of waiting. ”
Sherra shook her head, a smile twitching her lips. “I’m going to begin suspecting you and Kane Tyler of being separated at birth. ”
“I might have to fight you over that insult,” he growled. “Are you going in or supervising? I need to know before the rest of the teams move in. ”
“I’m going in. I’m trained in explosives detection and deactivation. We’ll keep to the main tunnels for now and re-access in six hours. If there are as many tunnels as initial analysi