She shook her head a couple times, trying to make sense of what Dean had said. Victor Ortez had been at the UFF helm for more than a decade before he was killed in a military raid three months ago. Thalia saw that on the news, and said nothing that he left behind a child. He didn't even mention his wife or girlfriend who was left behind.
But that wasn't even the perplexing part. After spending an entire evening with Ina Reyes, Thalia couldn't really imagine how the smart woman had a relationship with a rebel leader.
"Ina was just a teenager and idealistic when she met Ortez," Dean said. "It didn't take long for her to realize what kind of person he was." Dean shrugged. "She's been living on the run, too, ever since Rafael was born."
"Maybe the thorn has been pulled out of her now since Ortez died."
Dean's laugh was long and husky. "She was actually the mastermind behind his death."
"You know I'm troubled. The news says that a unit of the elite San Jose military ambushed Ortez in his hideout."
Now he snorted. "Elite is right. And that's me, along with Tatum and Ina. We're the ones who infiltrated Ortez's hideout, and we're also the ones behind the explosion."
"And you killed Ortez?"
"Not me, but Tatum."
When she winced, Dean's brown eyes softened. "Don't look at me like that, Doc. Do you remember what I told you about Esmeralda?"
She swallowed. "Kill or be killed."
"Exactly." He blew out a breath. "The world we live in is dangerous, Doc. There are many greedy, selfish, and sadistic people who want to tear us to pieces just so they can succeed in their plans. Ortez stole from the people he claimed to be protecting. He and his men have killed and raped many women, and he almost killed Tatum if the Captain had not preceded him. Just like the soldiers guarding you outside the tent. Do you think they won't kill when the general orders them to kill?"
"I know." She said. "But it's difficult for me to think in those terms. I came here to save a life, not to kill."
"Right now, the only thing you have to save is yourself, Doc. That's equally important."
"I guess."
She moved away from the water and let the flowing skirt fall down her legs. Sand clung to her wet feet, but she didn't bend over to brush it off just yet. She wasn't ready to go in, and apparently Dean was in no hurry either.
As she fixed her gaze on the waves again, she became aware of how close they were standing. His muscular arm brushed her shoulder, and that appealing scent filled her nostrils and made her light-headed. She couldn't help but remember their flirty exchange at the clinic, on how much she wanted to kiss him. So much had changed in such a short amount of time, and yet one thing hadn't changed at all: she still wanted to kiss him.
No matter how inappropriate it might be, no matter how much her heart aches at the moment, she still wanted to discover what Dean Magallon's lips would feel like pressed against her own.
Why don't you try, Thalia?
Thalia didn't know if it was confidence or madness that pushed her to do the next thing, but either way, she suddenly pinned Dean down and gave him a kiss that she had never done to a man in her entire life.
She felt his big body stiffen for a moment, but he recovered quickly, returning the kiss with such passion. Her knees went weak as he responded to her kiss, her pulse quickened, then her palms began to sweat. Dean's lips were firm, his mouth warm as he slanted it over hers and deepened the kiss.
When his tongue slid into her mouth in one sensual glide, she was helpless to stop him. The skill with which he kissed her stole the breath from her lungs. He licked, swirled, explored, his mouth hot and persistent as it met hers in blistering kisses that made her entire body burn with uncontrollable arousal.
And while she wrapped her hands around the man's neck, the man rubbed her back. They were both breathing hard, panting each time they broke apart for air, groaning each time their mouths reconnected.
She bit Dean's lower lip, then sucked on it.
"Damn baby, that's hot," he muttered, and then he did the same damn thing to her, making her moan.
She had no clue how long they had been standing there, with their feet submerged in the wet sand, hugging each other, lips touching, but when their lips parted, it seemed that her lips were swollen from the passionate kiss, and her hair was so messy as if something was happening between them.
"I..." She gulped, then sucked in a steady breath. "I don't know what came over me."
"I didn't complain."
She smiled lightly at him. "So...what's up?"
She wasn't sure what she'd expected him to say. She is okay with whatever his response will be to her.
"Let's just pretend it never happened." He said, and she saw that the smile in his eyes had disappeared.
She raised an eyebrow. "Are you kidding?"
Dean shook his head. "There is nothing between the two of us, Thalia. Also, you are in the mourning stage now because of what happened to your colleagues yesterday, you are just sad and you need sympathy so--"
"Would you stop telling me how I'm feeling?" she interrupted. "Why are you guys like that?"
"Are you telling me now that you're not mourning?"
"Of course, I'm mourning," she said irritably. "But there are many ways to relieve what I feel now."
"Maybe so, but I realize that what we did was not a good idea, Doc. Right now I can't focus on anything other than getting out of this mess. I'm tired of always hiding, I'm also tired of thinking if who wants to kill me? I want our situation to be over, so please be patient."
A sigh slipped out of her throat. Crap. She couldn't blame him for what he feels. For the fact that he's been hiding for over a year now.
"I understand you," she said softly.
"Thank you. And look...you're beautiful, Doc. To be honest, I was attracted to you the first time we saw each other." He shrugged awkwardly before taking a step away. "Being involved with a woman right now is not really my priority." He stepped back again. "Anyway, let's go inside. Maybe Pierre already talked to our contact."
She nodded and then she followed him. She should stay behind him so that he wouldn't see the blushed on her face.
Let's just pretend that didn't happen.
This one was a far cry, she thought as they walked back to the beach house.
*****
