Chapter 9

The train cuts through the night like a dark phantom.

I place my hands on the cold window, my warm breath fogging up the glass. There is no electricity, the damage the train took destroyed that. The women were put in one of the back cars that were not destroyed.

I feel an air of malevolence.

Maybe it's the darkness and the fact that no one says a word. The train is going fast, almost too fast in my opinion, though I am not an expert. I can feel the thrashing and jerks of the train when I did not before, and when we take a turn, I say a prayer, praying we do no derail. We are racing to beat Tim's men, throwing caution to the win.

I take a breath and glance around in the dark.

I have not seen the men, though I figure they are dealing with the wounded. A few of the women with medical backgrounds were the only ones who left.

All of the agents are in this cart, making the stress level skyrocket. Everyone is looking at each other suspiciously, wondering who it is. Who has the stone?

I bite my lip.

I have to find the documents before they do.

Louis is pushing this train to its capacity, which means we are being followed. I am in danger, at high risk. I feel it's only a matter of time before Louis or Jules question me again. They are probably looking at me in a new light, seeing my guns skills that women usually do not possess.

I glance down, seeing how dusty and dirty I am. I could ask Pierce to fix me up, but that would draw too many question marks. I don't see any other agent altering their looks, which they most likely are thinking the same thing.

All of a sudden, the lights flicker on making me tense.

I look to Dolly sitting next to me. "They fixed the power."

"I just about to sleep, thanks a lot."

I hear murmurs all around me as the light flickers then steadily stays on. The door opens, and in walks Louis with a couple of other men that I do not know.

He glances at all of us. "Ladies, please forgive us. I know what happened earlier was traumatic, and for that, I am deeply sorry. Your rooms are ready for you to go and freshen up and get some rest. We will be arriving in South Morun in the morning and checking into the fabulous Silver River hotel for some fun," he says looking exhausted, hair out of place and shirt wrinkled.

Yeah, a bit of fun, nice cover.

Like a lage scanverhunt.

Everyone starts to get up.

"We have a spa cart that was not touched by the spray of ammunition, you all can take turns bathing if you feel so inclined. And please, rest assured that the threat has left us."

Is that why we are hauling ass at break-neck speed?

I sit, fuming as I see Star and Brittiany book it to get a word in with Louis. I guess it's game on. I see Margot for the first time; I believe she is Louis's second cousin or something. So, Lynn, Tiffany, and Marot are all going after Jules.

Me?

I sniff, seeing Louis' eyes brighten as he gazes at Star. I know he wants to question me more, so maybe I will make a move then. Wear one of my naughty corsets. Let these girls have their time now when they are dirty and dingy.

Tiffany's short blond hair is slightly messed up but still cute. She dusts off her velvet gown and stands. "Mr. Bagstock, may I ask where your brother is? I should like to thank him for his brave efforts today," she says sweetly.

I almost snort.

Margot and Lynn murmur similar things as they stand up as well.

These girls are not wasting time.

Louis smiles as he looks at the two men beside him. "Go get him, ladies. He is in the emerald lounge and in a sour mood. Maybe you can put a smile back on his dashing face."

They giggle fakely.

I see that Louis likes to poke fun at Jules, but not in a mean way. In a brother way, giving him a hard time. It's endearing, actually, especially after knowing that they have not spoken in five years. But that does not make the agents any less annoying.

I stand, feeling like the outsider. "Well, then, I will be the first to take a bath."

Not sad about that.

**

The spa room is stunning for a train cart.

A small fire flickers encased in an insulated metal fireplace. I see a the clawfooted tub that is in the middle of the quant room. The tub is attached to piping and wheels that seemly pour heated water into the tub. Fascinating. When I turn on the water, the gears shift and move, pouring soothing hot water into the bath. I can see the steam rise, tempting me towards it.

I never wanted a bath more in my life.

"Sugar, here are some scented oils I found," Dolly says in her natural form. Her black catsuit making me raise an eyebrow.

"Thanks," I say and take it, smelling it. "Lovely."

"I am going to go and spy on the other agents. We need to be one step ahead of them when we arrive," she sucks on her sucker, giving me a wide-eyed smile, her red lips slightly smudged.

I shiver.

She is scarier than Jason and Freddy's love child.

I take a breath, and a grin spreads over my lips. I wonder if Jules will choose to come to find me? He may, and he may not, seeing how the agents went to attack him. He has this oath that he will not touch me, well, I could use that to my advantage.

I shiver.

I undress as the water fills up the tub in the low lighting, the rocking of the train makes the water slosh a bit. I stand in my blouse and ruffled panties, feeling a little exposed. I am just glad in this world they actually have normal underwear. I find soap for producing bubbles, needing some coverage in the clear water, the sweet scent filling up the room.

After undress entirely, and step into the water quickly as a sigh escapes my lips. My hair is still piled high on my head, some ends dipping into the water.

Oh, this is nice.

Louis definitely has this train set up for entertaining. The rocking of the train almost puts me to sleep if I were not so on edge. I really prayed the power would not go out again, leaving me in darkness.

Not sure how long I sit in bliss when I hear a knock at the door. I sit up slightly, covering my breasts. Thank goodness for the bubbles.

The door opens forcefully; I think the lock busted because I did latch it.

My pulse is pounding.

Jules.

I knew it.

He walks into the dimly lit room, steam rising from the water as colder air comes in. His hair is down in glorious golden waves, and his tanned skin with his piercing light eyes are breathtaking. The black shirt pulls at his muscles and the vest he's wearing shows of his trim waist.

Jules is a beautiful man.

"Should I scream?" I ask coyly, sticking my leg out of the hot water.

He exhales as he places his hands on his hips, his gaze flickers over my leg. He kicks a chair next to the tub, startling me.

"Be my guest, Dove. But, it being me, people might come to different conclusions," he says in a low voice.

I bet.

I swallow, almost scared to move. "Why are you here? If not to make me scream?" I taunt.

I can see his jaw flex, and he smiles, though it's forced. "I want you in a somewhat vulnerable position. Where you do not have access to a gun," he says easily and sits on the chair next to the tub. He leans back, and his thighs are spread, giving me a full view of how blessed he surely is. The tension is heavy; the way he looks at me makes my stomach clench. He is trying to seem casual like he could care less, but I can see it. No one is that good of an actor.

Hot fire.

I am naked.

I think my heart might implode.

"Couldn't I just retrieve a gun that I probably have hidden? I don't think I am that vulnerable," I say in my innocent tone, to break up the painful silence. I sit up as I expose half of my breasts on purpose, then lean to the edge of the tub, resting my chin on it. Water drips off my arms to the floor as I grin.

His crystal gaze never leaves mine, almost like he does not want to look any lower. "You would expose yourself to get the gun?" he asks as a smile pulls at his lips. "Why does that not surprise me."

"You have an oath not to touch me. I will get it now if you call my bluff," I say and try not to smile against the tub's edge.

"No," he says quickly.

I make a pout face. "Fine, then what do you want?"

Minutes pass as he rubs a hand down his face.

He leans forward bringing us very close, elbows resting on his knees. "I need the fucking stone, Charlie. I don't want to play games anymore, tell me what you know."

Should I tell him?

"What will you do with the stone?"

"I will have it covered with melted metals and rare elements. We have some of the most genius minds in the colonies. If we can cover it permanently, it will lose its dangerous charge," Jules pauses with a smile, "It will be untraceable. Thus, it will not affect my colonies," he says, watching me closely. "It will not get into the wrong hands, and I cannot be blackmailed."

He would have to remove the stone from me.

Thus, killing me.

"Is that the only way to hide the stone?"

"Yes, it must be done for the better good of thousands of people."

Shit.

I swallow, noticing the bubbles are diminishing. "I wish I could help you," I whisper.

He closes his eyes. "Give me something, Charlie," he pleads.

"Then you give me something," I say, then almost regret it.

Seeing him like this is making me a little crazy.

His sex appeal is off the charts.

Jules's eyes shoot open and he tilts his head at me. "Anything."

"The information I have is not much, though," I murmur as I lean up more.

His gaze never leaves my face.

Only the sound is of me moving through the water. I rise up further, exposing my glorious breasts, daring him with my eyes to look. I can feel his energy, the intense magnetic pull surrounding us.

His eyes never leave mine, his chest rising and falling. "What the hell are you doing," he rasps.

"I want one kiss," I barely say, and watch his shocked expression.

"No."

"It's just one kiss, Jules," I taunt.

"The answer is no," his voice breaks and my eyes widen. "Never."

Jules is just about to lose it.

He is now gripping the edge of the bath like he is holding them hostage, his knuckles white. It's quite the turn on. "I know what you are doing, and I should have expected this."

I laugh. "You came in here while I was bathing. What did you expect?"

He closes his eyes and grins. "To make you on edge, Charlie. But it seems you are a shameless woman," he whispers.

"Confident, Jules, not shameless," I correct.

He laughs, eyes still closed.

"Now do you want some information or not?"

He does not say anything as he takes a large breath. "One damn kiss, Charlie. I am being forced, so this does not break my rule never to touch a Brey. "

I smile. "Your oath is still intact, Jules. Just one small kiss."

Whatever you have to tell yourself.

Why am I doing this? Because I want to feel his lips even though I know I am also breaking my rule, never to pursue a bad boy. A bad boy who wants my heart in the worst way.

Jules opens his blue gaze and pins me. "No tricks."

I smile at him. "Kiss me."

Jules almost looks nervous. He takes another breath as a blond strand falls forward into his face. "Come closer then," he orders in a dark tone.

I feel the shiver that licks it's way down my spine.

"No tongue," he says.

"No tongue," I repeat like I am coaxing a wild animal. I lean way over the tub completely bare, but Jules still has not broken eye contact with me. Adrenaline pumps through my veins at finally being able to feel him.

He leans in, and our mouths barely touch, our breath hot on each other's lips.

"Kiss me, Jules," I whisper against him.

He makes a sound as he presses his lips firmly to mine, slightly moving over me, testing me.

"Kiss me like you mean it," I moan into him, wanting more.

That seemed to do it.

He grabs the back of my head and plunges his tongue in my mouth like he wanted me to choke on it. Jules's is breaking the rules now. He takes me hard, possessing me for a blinding second as he masterfully kisses me before he pulls back.

We are breathing hard as we stare at each other.

"You win," he whispers and attacks me.

His mouth is on mine again as we kiss furiously, I can hear his low moans as he kisses me harder, almost hurting me. His arm snacks around my waist and crushes me to him, my wet naked body fused to his hard muscle.

We are out of control.

I pull Jules back to me, and now he is on top of me in the bath, half of his clothes soaked. We are still kissing desperately, never missing a beat. I have never felt this much wild passion, Jules is a sexual force just like I thought. His right arm cups my breast as he pulls back to look, our breathing harsh. His eyes almost glow in the dim lighting.

Finally, it's like he is allowing himself the pleasure.

"Charlie, you're a dangerous woman."

I hiss as he leans down to suck my nipple, lifting me out of the water. I don't think I have ever experienced anything this erotic. I moan as he works me, his right hand skimming down my body then grabs my naked thigh, pulling it to the side.

He lifts slightly and touches me, making me suck in a breath. His fingers are urgent and experienced, caressing me softly, almost adoringly. I moan louder when feel him thrust inside of me, his mouth sucking the water droplets off my jawline.

"You are going to be the death of me," he whispers into my skin.

I scream as he hits the spot right as the door knocks.

No.

Shit.

Jules freezes then curses, closing his eyes.

"Occupied!" I yell, but my voice is not strong.

"Hurry! Some of us other girls need to use this room. I don't know what you're doing in there with all that racket but save it for your room!"

My eyes widen and Jules smiles.

We are breathing hard as we stare at each other, the sexual power only intensified, now that we tasted the forbidden passion.

Finally lifting himself off me, I morn the loss of his weight. I cover myself as he walks to the far door, pausing.

"Dove, lock your door tonight."

Then he leaves.

Now I am in trouble.

That just changed everything.