"She didn't have anyone to teach her," Kas states sadly, remembering the embarra.s.sment in her eyes when she had admitted that she didn't know how to drive. His heart constricts as he thinks of how she was robbed of so many childhood rites of pa.s.sages because of her father.

"I won't let you go under, I promise," Kas a.s.sures her, holding his arms up, motioning for Raina to take his hands and get into the water.

Raina grabs his hands tightly, sliding in as he holds her up. She wraps her arms around his neck, chewing on her bottom lip.

"You can do this, Rain. You did great at the shallow end. I've got you, just trust me."

She nods her head as he treads water, holding on to her waist, telling her to move her arms like he showed her.

"You can always turn on your back if you get tired. Keep moving your arms," his voice is encouraging as he swims beside her. "That's perfect," he praises, being sure to keep his hand underneath her stomach so she feels more comfortable. "Okay, kick your legs. Keep them mostly under the water."

Raina starts to kick, and Kas loosens his grip on her waist, and she kicks harder, accidentally kicking him in his most sensitive area, and he lets out a pained grunt.

She apologizes, quickly wrapping her arms around his neck.

"It's alright," he manages, through a ragged breath.

Raina can't help but giggle at the expression on his face, quickly biting her lip to thwart her laughter. "I'm sorry," she tells him again, her sheepish expression both slightly amused and greatly repentant.

He watches her bright eyes darken with desire as she leans closer to his ear. "I know how to make it all better," she whispers, her voice an exhilarating seduction.

He feels better already as his hurt manhood swells appreciatively at the offer, "And just what are you thinking would be the best remedy?"

She arches her eyebrow, her blazing eyes promising a full recovery.

"I will take you to the side of the pool, and you can go change while I swim a few laps. I can't get out of the pool at the moment, darlin'."

"Okay, hurry."

"Then get your intoxicating body out of here," he winks at her, pointing to the dressing rooms.

She trails her fingers up his arm as he drives her home, driving him crazy to feel her healing touch. Leaning closer to him, she nibbles on the lobe of his ear, moving her fingers to his knee, inching higher.

He grabs her hand, brushing a kiss across her fingers, "You're going to cause me to wreck, darlin'."

"Hurry up," she breathes, her body begging for his.

"If water has this kind of effect on you, I'm installing a pool tomorrow," he teases.

He takes her hand, sliding her out his door, not wanting to take the time opening hers, when they pull into the drive. She has his shirt off of him and his belt buckle undone before the door is locked behind them. She continues to strip him of his clothing, shedding hers and jumping into his arms before they make it through the living room. He laughs as she tackles him, and he grabs her, tossing her on the couch.

"Get over here, right now," she demands, her body beckoning him, unadulterated desire sending delicious tingles through her as she pushes up on her knees, motioning him forward with her finger.

"Yes, ma'am." He slips his hands behind her neck, caressing her cheek with his thumb as he lowers his mouth to hers. Sweet, wet heat teases his mouth as her tongue plunders, sending a ripple of raw need through him. When he can't wait one second longer, he lowers her to the couch, crawling over her as his hands leave a heated wake when he runs them over her body. "I love you, woman!" he tells her right before taking her into ecstasy.

Raina flips him over on his back, proud of herself for catching him off guard. She holds his arms over his head, and he lets her think she has him pinned. Straddling him, she trails kisses across his chest, loving how his body responds to her touch. She delivers more sweet torture, her fingers exploring as her hips swivel, eliciting very s.e.xy, needy sounds from her husband. Her eyes are glued to his as she returns the favor, sending him into a blissful release.

Kas takes Raina to the gym the next two nights, making her promise to behave until they get home so he can finish teaching her how to swim. She fulfills her promise, not making one seducing move until they walk through their door, then all bets are off, and she takes her time showing him her appreciation. She is very excited when Friday evening finally arrives, and they throw their bag and tent in the jeep. Raina climbs inside, excited about another first...camping.

Kas laughs, his smile brightening his chocolate eyes when he sees Raina beaming at him as he slides inside next to her, "You ready, darlin'?"

She nods enthusiastically as they drive towards Cunningham Falls. He slips her hand in his, her carefree happiness a salve to his soul. She jumps out of the jeep when they arrive, grabbing their bag as Kas gets the tent. "It's so beautiful," Raina exclaims looking out over the moonlit lake.

Kas pulls Raina into his arms, "You're beautiful." Her shy blush does funny things to him, and his heart fills with so much love he doesn't want to ever let her go.

"None of that, you two," Austin winks at Raina as he walks by with the hot dogs, "at least not until you're in your tent."

Raina's blush deepens and Kas laughs, "I love that about you."

She looks at him, perplexed, "What?"

"How you are so innocent." Kas wraps his arm around her as they make their way to the place where they are going to camp. "I'm thinking we need a spot a little out of the way."

"Why?"

He leans to where his lips brush her ear, "Because, I also love it when you're not so innocent."

Her cheeks flame again, and he lets out a hearty laugh, "C'mon, darlin', or I'm going to strip you down right here."

Jake is stoking the camp fire while Maya is pulling the seats back, the night air still too warm to be close to the fire. Raina goes to help while Kas finishes setting up the tent. Both Raina and Maya are happy to see a familiar face with Austin, and they wave at Mandy as she walks towards them, with Frank and his date close behind.

"Hey girls, I want you to meet Josie," Frank tells them proudly, wrapping his arm around the shoulders of the pretty lady holding onto his waist.

"I'm Raina," she offers her hand to the shy dark-haired woman who Raina thinks looks adorable with her short, cropped hair.

Josie is introduced to everyone else as Kas walks up to Raina, slipping his arm around her waist. "Why don't we go find some sticks for the hot dogs?"

Austin shoots Russo a knowing look and elbows Jake, who is clueless to anything but Maya right now. "We're sending a search party out if you're not back in ten minutes," Austin calls after them as they walk into the darkness.

Raina snuggles closer to Kas, wanting to be near him despite the warmth of the star-filled summer night. He takes her arms, backing her against a tree, his eyes smoldering. He places his hands around her waist, slipping his fingers just a fraction of an inch inside the top of her jeans, caressing her smooth skin.

His smile is like a drug, and Raina pulls his lips to hers, wrapping her fingers around the back of his neck and into his hair, ready to be on the mind-blowing high that's one-hundred-percent Kas. "What can we do in ten minutes?" she whispers, her eyes gleaming mischievously.

"Not nearly as much as I want to, baby," he chuckles, moving his mouth to her neck, his nether region swelling when a pleased moan escapes. He takes a minute enjoying the feel of her against his lips before he pulls away. "We'll pick up where we left off later," he promises, his pride tripling when she whimpers at the loss of his touch.

Once they gather enough sticks, they make their way back to the campsite. Russo helps Kas sharpen the ends as the girls get all of the condiments ready for the hot dogs. Raina takes out the brownies she made, and Jake grabs one, "I was hoping you would make these." He breaks it in half and hands one part to Maya, not wasting any time devouring his in one bite.

"Those are for after dinner," Kas playfully admonishes.

"Yes, mother," Jake quips, and Raina giggles.

Raina lays her head on Kas' shoulder as they roast their hot dogs over the fire, feeling completely at peace in the tranquility of the evening and the company. She wishes Erik and Susanna came for the team outing, but Erik had made it clear that he is not the camping type, stating that is why G.o.d made beds and houses with four walls.

Kas glances at Russo, the only single person around the campfire, wishing he would have brought someone with him. Austin keeps trying to set him up with his ex-girlfriends, but Russo had teased him about not wanting his leftovers. Kas has caught him watching the new brunette agent on Grant's team and is amused at how his burly friend is scared speechless every time she walks by.

Maya grabs the marshmallows, "Who wants S'mores."

"What are S'mores?" Raina asks.

"Ahh, girl, that's such a party foul not knowing what S'mores are," Russo quips.

Jake glances at Raina, wondering what else she's missed out on growing up. Even with his abusive father, he still had his mom and other family members around to give him some semblance of a normal childhood. He smiles when Kas grabs the needed items to make her the traditional campfire treat, knowing that he'll do whatever it takes to show her everything she has missed.

Raina is sitting on the ground between Kas' legs, her back leaning against his chest, as they stay up late talking and laughing in front of the fire. She lays her head against his shoulder as a yawn escapes.

"Ready for bed?" he asks, brushing a kiss against her temple.

She nods, and he stands up, taking her hand to help her as they tell everyone goodnight. He wraps his hand around hers as they walk to their tent. "Are you too tired to finish what we started earlier," he teases, sliding his hand into her back pocket.

"I'm never too tired for you," she answers honestly, loving the grin her words cause to spread across his handsome face.

"Good, because I plan on keeping you up for a few hours, at least," he tells her, zipping their tent for privacy. Molten dark eyes meet her when he turns around, "Now, where were we?"

Raina slowly unb.u.t.tons her shirt, watching his eyes growing darker with need with every b.u.t.ton that is undone. She runs her tongue across her lips, leaving a wet sheen that Kas can't resist. He rubs his thumb across her bottom lip as she continues to slowly undress for him. She slips out of her jeans, and her eyes are misty when she looks at him again.

"Baby, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," she quickly a.s.sures him, "thank you for tonight." She looks at him, her eyes so full of love, "Thank you for being you."

He wraps her in his arms, "Right back atcha, darlin'."

The birds are chirping when Raina opens her eyes, smiling when she feels Kas' naked body wrapped over hers. She is filled with desire again when she leisurely takes in the toned muscles on his pure masculine frame, and she wonders if she will ever get used to the heady emotions that surge through her when she thinks of, or is around her husband. She snuggles closer to him, and he stirs.

"You keep wiggling like that and we're going to have a repeat of last night," he groans, his voice husky from sleep and need.

"Is that a promise or a threat?" she giggles, "never mind, it doesn't matter, I like it either way you meant it."

"You're incorrigible, I've created a s.e.x-crazed beast," he laughs, brushing his lips across her forehead.

"Yes...yes, you have," she admits unashamedly, winking salaciously at him. "I'm going to take a shower. Where are they?"

"It's much safer to have Maya or one of the other girls show you because if I take you, we're going to get kicked out of the park, or arrested."

She giggles as she dresses before grabbing everything she needs. "I'll be back in a few."

He sits up, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her on top of him, kissing her neck and popping her on her backside playfully, "Hurry and get your cute b.u.t.t in the shower before I take you hostage in here all day."

Raina's happily surprised to find that the showers are warm, but she doesn't press her luck with the hot water running out and takes a fast shower. She pulls her hair back in a loose ponytail with a few auburn, wet tendrils slipping out, framing her ivory face and throws on a pair of brown hiking shorts with a violet cotton tank top. Most everyone is awake by the time she and Maya make it back to the campsite. Jake smiles when he sees Maya, and Raina is content watching them falling in love.

Raina grabs the eggs out of the cooler and starts cooking breakfast over the fire Kas started. The smell of omelets rouse Austin, and Mandy laughs when his stomach growls. "You're always hungry."

Kas grabs another skillet and throws bacon in it as everyone else chips in with pouring juice and grabbing the bagels and cream cheese. The girls stay behind and talk while the guys shower before they explore the hiking trails and the seventy-eight-foot waterfall.

Kas sees how much Raina loves being in the woods, and he decides that they need to stay at the cabin more. He almost tells her 'no' when she tells him that she wants to climb the rocks on the side of the waterfall, but makes himself keep his mouth shut when he sees that the rocks are dry and how much she wants to see the falls from the advantageous view at the top. Giving in, he climbs behind her, making sure she doesn't lose her footing.

He wraps her hand in his once they reach the top, causing her to laugh, "I promise I won't get too close."

He eases his grip on her a little, "Okay, fine, but stay clear of the edge."

"Yes, sir," she teases, biting her lip when he gives her a mild warning look. "You get so bossy when you think I'm in a possible dangerous situation."

"I just want you safe, darlin', that's all."

"I know." She backs farther away from the edge, having mercy on him. "Feel better now?" she winks, kissing him on the cheek.

"Much, now let's get you down from here."

She giggles at his obvious distress over her safety. "People climb this all the time. Jake and Maya climbed it."

"You climbed it too, and now, you're going to climb back down."

She suppresses a smile at the finality in his tone, still confounded at how he can be so s.e.xy when he is being all authoritative. When she is safely on level ground, she can't resist giving him a little, playful smirk. He gives her a smirk of his own, biting back a laugh at her tenaciousness.

They head back to the campsite for lunch and decide to play a game of volleyball before going for a swim. Raina beams when Kas gives her a high five after she spikes the ball to the ground in front of Frank. Mandy suggests they play boys against girls, and the boys don't whine too much when they lose, thanks to the girl's secret weapon, Josie, who got her college education on a volleyball scholarship.

Raina is a little nervous when everyone gets in the lake. She feels fairly comfortable swimming now, but she can see how deep the water is in a pool, something she can't gauge in the lake's murky water.

Kas takes her hand, "I'll be next to you the whole time."

She relaxes, knowing he won't let anything happen to her. They spend the rest of the afternoon in the cool water, and Raina is worn out by dinner time. The guys make hamburgers and Raina is ravenous, surprised at how hungry swimming makes her. Kas decides to take advantage of their last night on the lake and takes Raina out on a canoe ride under the moonlight. He hands her a flannel shirt, "The air is much cooler on the water."

"It's like there's no one else on earth out here," she ponders, leaning against Kas as she stares out on the water, watching the reflection of the moonlight ripple on the water's edge. The sound of the water gently lapping against the canoe is relaxing, and Raina closes her eyes.

He looks down at her, the moonlight kissing her creamy ivory skin, and he brushes his knuckles across her cheek, wishing he could freeze time for a while, wanting to spend more time with her in this peaceful moment. He savors every second he has with her, "It's just you and me right now, Rain, just you and me."

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN.

The past week has been grueling, the summer sun has faded into the beginning of fall, and they have come so close to closing in on the Ghost, but don't have enough leverage to bring in the elusive ring leader. Chase is riding with Kas to visit the old roommate of one of Prizrak's victims who ended up face down next to a river. Small metal shavings found in her clothing and on the bottom of her shoes tie the girl to the other dead bodies believed to have been part of the Ghost's trafficking victims. Forensics has narrowed the shavings to small flakes of painted metal. They are working on trying to locate the source.

Sophie doesn't want to talk with Kas or Chase, not surprising them in the least. They can see the terror in her eyes when they mention the name, Prizrak. Kas backs off, sensing the call girl's rapidly increasing level of stress the longer they talk with her. Her fear of the Ghost is too great for her to give any information about him and risk her ending up like her late roommate.

As they walk away from Sophie's appointed work destination Kas spots a black SUV gaining speed as an almost identical vehicle turns onto the other side of the street, barreling towards them. He knows what's happening before he sees the barrel of a gun protruding from the window. He yells for everyone to get down as he pushes Sophie to safety inside the building behind her. Chase grabs the woman in front of him, pulling her behind a car, and in the split second that seems to pa.s.s in slow motion, Kas spots the gun aiming at Chase from the SUV closest to him. He dives into Chase, the gun shot splitting the air, grazing Kas' shoulder before they crash onto the sidewalk. Not taking a second to hesitate, Kas drags Chase behind a large, old Buick as the shots continue to blast at them. They keep their heads low as the loud popping continues.

He grabs his weapon, shoving his back-up gun into Chase's stunned hand. Whispering a quick prayer, he returns fire, being sure to keep his head behind the safety of the car. More shots ring out, the noise is deafening as the bullets strike the metal of the car. Kas rolls under the Buick for a better shot, yelling at Chase to keep his head down and to call for back-up. He shoots at the tires, blowing one out as the SUV swerves, but doesn't stop. The other vehicle is rounding the corner, and Kas calls out the tag number to Chase.

Rolling the rest of the way under the car, he quickly crosses the street, taking cover behind the line of parked cars as he races after the skidding SUV. He swears as the driver turns up another road. Pushing himself faster, his legs burn as he rounds the corner, jumping back as a shot barely misses him. Like second nature, his brain takes in his surroundings, paying attention to every detail as he fires two rounds before turning the corner, continuing his pursuit. The shooters have abandoned the damaged SUV and are on foot. He ignores the pain of his wounded shoulder as he tackles a masked man, quickly raising his gun and firing at the second a.s.sailant who has turned towards him, aiming his weapon at Kas. The shot pierces the man's right upper arm while Kas commands him to drop his weapon as he presses his knee, hard, into the man he has tackled on the ground.

"Don't be stupid," he gives one final warning, pointing his gun for a kill shot if the a.s.sailant doesn't drop his weapon. Kas is thankful the man gives into reason, holding his hands out as his gun falls to the ground. "Keep your hands in the air, and kick your weapon to me," he demands, keeping his gun pointed at the a.s.sailant while his knee digs deeper into the man's back. He quickly cuffs the man underneath him, removing the mask to see a dark-haired man of Asian descent while barking orders for the standing a.s.sailant to thread his fingers together and place them on the back of his head while getting down on his knees. He cuffs him before taking off his mask, revealing blonde hair and blue eyes, an American.

The adrenaline pumping through his veins starts to fade as the men are being placed into the back of a squad car. The burn in his shoulder intensifies as he makes his way back to Chase. He quickly examines his shoulder and is grateful that it's just a flesh wound, even though it's fairly deep.

Chase doesn't look so good when Kas reaches him, but he appears to be holding himself together, effectively calming the women from the drama they just experienced. His face is pale, and he is unusually quiet as they slide into the vehicle. He glances at Kas' shoulder, "Maybe I should be driving."