BURNING HOT

CHAPTER 19

ILA allowed herself to drift lazily in the pool, the gentle current cradling her as she surrendered to its embrace. A contented sigh escaped her lips as she slowly opened her eyes, taking in the scene around her. The sun cast a warm, golden glow over the pool, and the water's surface rippled with the play of light and shadow. It was a moment of tranquil respite, a much-needed reprieve from the tumultuous days they had all endured.

"Come on, Ila, you can't leave us hanging like this," Grace insisted with a growl, reclining on the poolside, a smoldering cigarette between her fingers. Her voice carried a hint of mischief and impatience.

"Curiosity is gnawing at me," Kat groaned from the pool's edge, where she was engrossed in a card game with Andrea and Sarah. Kat consistently outplayed her opponents, and Sarah couldn't resist trying to sneak a peek at Kat's cards.

Amidst a burst of laughter, Ila shook her head and swam over to the pool's edge to retrieve her drink. With graceful movements, she climbed out of the pool, her wet skin glistening in the colored lights in the room, and settled into a plush lounge chair.

As she relaxed into the cushioned seat, Ila couldn't help but notice the various elements that made up their idyllic oasis. The the faint aroma of Grace's cigarette smoke. The soft splashes of water and the rhythmic music added a soothing backdrop to their conversation.

Valda, a formidable presence, broke through the water's surface, droplets cascading down her taut, tattooed muscles. Her slim, statuesque figure had an undeniable allure, marred only by the intricate web of scars that told stories of her past. It was a body that bore witness to both pain and strength.

"What I'm curious about is what Ila did to you while she was busy dreaming about two hot guys providing an amazing experience," Valda couldn't resist poking her nose into the conversation Ila had skillfully diverted everyone's attention from.

Valda held the rank of second sergeant, was one of the few who could rival Sam and Kal. She and Dylan shared the same rank, and Valda was a woman you wouldn't want to cross paths with. Yet, she was an integral part of this tight-knit team, each member carrying their own burdens from their challenging pasts.

Grace laughed mischievously and gave Ila a knowing look. She was clearly on a mission to embarrass her tonight.

When Ila had arranged for all the ladies to gather by the pool for a girls' night, she hadn't anticipated becoming the center of attention.

"I stopped because you might be disappointed. It's better to leave it to your imagination," Ila tried to explain, but Grace promptly cut her off.

"Bullshit," Grace retorted, earning a thumbs-up from Valda. "Her moans were what woke me up first. I tried to wake her, and she grabbed me. God, this woman practically assaulted me last night." Grace didn't sound the least bit distressed.

"I bet you just let her have her way and did nothing," Andrea chuckled, and Grace smirked.

"Don't blame a girl for seizing the opportunity. We both had a good time, didn't we, baby?" Grace winked at Ila, who felt like pushing her best friend into the pool.

"I think I'll bunk in your room tonight, right next to you," Valda declared with a smile as she came out the pool, water cascading down her toned muscles.

"Sam won't be too pleased," Andrea chuckled as she abandoned her card game and rose from her seat. "You keep wiping the floor with me in every round."

"Blame the little devil; she won't lose a game for us," Sarah chimed in, playfully pushing Kat into the pool. Laughter filled the air as they all enjoyed the moment, carried away by the changing beat of the music.

Kat's suggestion of playing truth or dare sparked enthusiasm among the group. Kat looked around at the strong, welcoming women, grateful for their company. She felt at ease, forgetting the age difference that separated her from her peers.

"The little kitty wants to play truth or dare? That's a bit too elementary for us," Grace mumbled, her wine glass held delicately in her hand.

Ila couldn't resist adding a twist. "Let's turn it into a drinking game. Anyone who can't fulfill a truth or dare will have to drink until the rest of us are satisfied," she proposed with a sly grin, her gaze flickering around the circle.

Grace, ever the rebel, didn't hesitate to respond. "You're only saying that because you never get drunk," she retorted, her eyes dancing with mischief.

Ila teased, "I'll understand if you're not up for it. You do look a bit worn out."

"This is going to be intriguing. Count me in. But don't expect us to take it easy on anyone," Grace declared with a determined glint in her eye. She stood up, shedding her robe and revealing a bikini that matched her fiery personality.

Valda, the ever-efficient one, reached for her phone, her wet skin shimmering. "I'll have one of the guys fetch us more drinks," she offered with a smirk.

Andrea couldn't resist adding a warning to Kat, who was eagerly joining the game. "Careful what you wish for, sweetheart," she said, chuckling. "In this house, we never go easy. Every game is a competition."

With a confident smile, Kat settled into her spot, knowing that even if she got drunk, these formidable women would take care of her. She had spent enough time drinking with Al's men to know how to hold her own, and she had beaten quite a few of them in drinking competitions.

Kat and Grace worked together to create a cleared space, while Ryder arrived with five fresh bottles of wine and an assortment of snacks. His eyes betrayed his longing to join them, but once their supplies were in place, they sent him on his way.

The six of them settled into a circle, with a buzzing energy in the air. "Okay, here it goes," Ila scanned the group.

"Why are you going first anyway?" Grace glared at her from across the room.

"Very mature, Grace. Besides, I'm the boss," Ila chuckled.

"Pick someone already," Sarah snapped, and the rest of the group chuckled. Ila looked at Kat and smiled sweetly before choosing her; she had much to learn about the young girl, and this seemed like a golden opportunity.

"Truth or dare, love?" Kat glanced around the group and back at Ila; perhaps she should have opted for another game after all.

"Can't back down now, little kitty," Sarah quipped beside her.

"Dare," Kat smiled, appearing relaxed; she wasn't about to be the first to reveal her thoughts within the group.

"You all better watch out now; Ila's mind is damn creative," Grace chuckled.

"I dare you to call Matt right now and tell him you want him, Sky, and yourself to have dinner tomorrow." They all watched Kat's jaw drop before she glanced around at the women, who chuckled with amusement.

"You can always choose to drink, but then again, this was all your idea," Andrea added, her Russian accent carrying a raspy allure.

She retrieved her phone from her side and dialed Matt, putting it on speaker. They had warned her that this game was going to be tough. Matt answered after the first ring.

"You good?" That was the first question he asked, and she observed as the women discreetly tried not to react too loudly. "Kat, you good? Need me to come over?" His voice held a hint of concern.

"I'm fine. I just wanted to ask if you'd like to have dinner tomorrow?" She inquired.

"Dinner?"

"Yes, dinner along with Sky?" The line remained quiet for a few moments before they heard Sky chuckle.

"Dinner would be great, Куколка Kukolka," Sky said. Ila ended the call before he could say anything else, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"I never knew Sky could flirt with a lady," Valda remarked with amusement. "He sure is his mother's son."

They laughed and resumed the game as Kat chose Sarah. Grace chuckled, "The girl has her eyes on you; better watch out," Grace warned Sarah.

Sarah chose dare, and Kat dared her to spar in the morning during their workouts. Sarah dared Andrea to remove her bikini top for 30 minutes.

By the time Andrea dared Valda to call John and invite him to her room, they witnessed the menacing look Valda gave Andrea before she opted to take a drink instead. They all observed Valda gulp down the bottle before Andrea finally agreed it was enough.

"Good one, Andrea; you're definitely going to get it." Valda pointed at Ila. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth," Ila answered; everyone knew not to accept a dare from Valda.

"I can't help but ask, Ila, did your ex kidnap Sky and you?" They sought more details from Sam, but he had said it was Ila's story to share.

"Oh, that," Ila looked around and gently brought her hand to her knee, rubbing it. "I've always detested having an all-round bodyguard, so I truly desired to give Sky a normal childhood. Nikolai took Sky to force me into signing some documents that would have granted him power of attorney over everything and more."

"He was exceedingly greedy, refusing to agree no matter the sum we offered him and his father," Grace added.

"When Sam was just 12, I left him at home with his nanny; they killed her in his presence and took him. I called my brother and father then. We searched for two days before finding a lead, but not the location. Nikolai later called me to come alone, even after taking precautions, he outsmarted me, and I ended up allowing him to cuff me to prevent him from hurting Sky."

"And you still prevent Sam from dealing with the threat his father poses?" Grace accused.

"What's amazing is that he listens to her," Sarah muttered. Since Sam became her bodyguard six years ago after the accident, her father had called Sam home when she went missing with Sky.

"What's it gonna be, truth or dare?" Ila's voice hung in the air like a whisper of curiosity, her eyes locked onto Grace's.

Grace gazed at her friend's determined face, recognizing the glint of mischief in her eyes. She knew Ila well enough to understand that regardless of her choice, Ila would exploit it. Grace would sooner guard her secrets with her life than allow them to escape this room. "Truth."

The room felt charged with anticipation as Ila leaned in, her next question heavy with unspoken emotions. "It's a simple yes or no question. Do you love Mael?" Grace understood that beneath its simplicity, this question held a world of implications.

She had gone to great lengths to conceal her feelings for Mael, but her best friend had an uncanny ability to see through her facade.

The option of taking a drink loomed, but the answer remained crystal clear. The only sounds that filled the room were the soft, melodic notes of the music playing in the background and the gentle murmur of water in the pool.

"I..." Grace hesitated, not even having admitted her feelings to herself yet. Ila expected her to say it out loud? "Pass me the drink."

With a wry smile, Ila slid the drink toward her. "Drink to your heart's content. I've got my answer." She observed as Grace took a full gulp and soon emptied the remaining content Valda had left her gaze unwavering.

"Now, it's my turn." Grace's smile was determined, an effort to maintain the room's warmth. She turned her attention to Andrea, who was still very much topless, and scolding Sarah when she attempted an audacious move. Kat fought back laughter as she watched the unfolding drama.

"Sarah?" Grace called out, her eyes locking with Sarah's.

"Oh, come on, Grace. I was just teasing her. Choose someone else," Sarah grumbled.

A menacing glint in Andrea's eyes caught Grace's attention. "How about I help you with that? Truth or Dare?" Andrea's glare bore into her, promising a challenge that could test their friendship.

"Dare love" Sarah grabbed Andrea around the waist before she could escape. "Calm now, you don't even know what the dare would be" Sarah locked Andrea in place and looked at Grace.

"Kiss the next person besides you. A proper one, I need to feel the heat from here" Grace said as Valda give her an high five.

Kat looked at the amused looks on the women. Seemed there was another story behind this two women. Sarah had been the scariest woman kat had ever laid eyes on until Valda, where the two women looked completely at home in Sam's team, Andrea looked like the complete opposite.

"Andrea was sent with Valda when she had some things to do. The team never stay alone, Andrea is upset with Sarah she didn't come along with them" Ila explained to Kat quietly as they watched Sarah and Andrea wrestle on the floor.

It wasn't really a real wrestling, Sarah got Andrea beneath her and locked her legs around her legs. Holding her hands above her head as they both breathed out.

Kat watching the play of feminine dominance was amazing, she watched as Sarah ran her fingers from Andrea faces, down to her jaw, the room was indeed getting heated as Andrea's struggle to get free reduced and her breathing changed.

"You're going to get punished for this act afterwards baby" They heard Sarah's voice whisper to Andrea but enough for them all to hear. Sarah fingers wrapped around Andrea's throat sensually as she pulled her head up to meet hers.

"Sarah is a very dominant woman, you don't want to know what this two get up too when left alone" Ila whispered to kat.

"I'm not surprised, everyone of you is a dominant female actually." Kat said not able to get her eyes off the two women that kissed so passionately.

"True but when it comes to attraction and working out a relationship. dominance isn't the only thing, someone as to submit at one point. It's always a battle to who will submit first"

Kat looked at Ila then "Are you saying you get to play dominance with Sam?" Kat would find that very hard to believe.

Ila laughed "We butt head everytime and I end up submitting, it's all worth it in the end. I've never had the chance to tie him up though." Ila watched Kat cheeks turn red.

"And Al?" Kat chuckled at that. She couldn't imagine the formidable Al Barone being tied up by his significant other.

"I think he'll have me occupied with something else before I can attempt that," Ila told her, and they both shared a laugh.

Their attention turned to the pool room's entrance as Lord and Mikhail entered. "Don't let us interrupt; we couldn't resist joining the fun," Mikhail quipped, earning a glare from Sarah, who was protecting Andrea with her body.

"I knew you guys wouldn't resist crashing the party for too long," Grace remarked. The moment Andrea's bikini top was secure, Lord called out for the rest of the group.

Kat had gotten to know the four remaining members of Sam's team who arrived last night. Lord and Mikhail were just like the rest of Sam's team: enigmatic men with whom you'd never imagine striking up a conversation or sharing a meal.

The Ghost Team was legendary in the military, sent on impossible missions without backup. They pursued rogue special agents, and the 12 of them were rarely in one place together since she had been around.

Ice entered with a smile directed at Ila as he made a beeline where she and Ila sat. Ice appeared to be the most approachable man on the team, not because of his stature but because he often wore a friendly smile that contrasted with the deadly aura emanating from the others.

"Captain needs you in the War Room," Ice told Ila, and she immediately stood up. The war room was the surveillance room, something important must have come up.

Kat observed Lord delivering the same message to Valda as she stood up and wrapped her robe around her.

Kat's attention shifted to Matt and Sky as they approached after greeting Ila who joined Valda as they left the room together. She inquired,

"Is everything okay?"

Sky reassured her everything was fine. "Nothing serious, just a meeting Mael called." Kat scanned the room, noticing increased activity with Grace, Sarah, and Andrea swimming in the pool, along with Lord and Ryder.

"We were having a great game before you all barged in," Kat mentioned.

Sky spoke up, "The guys are up for it too, right?" The men chuckled and agreed. "How about it now, Куколка Kukolka?"

"I wasn't suggesting we continue the game," Kat whispered, aghast at everyone else's eagerness to resume.

"Trust me, this will be more entertaining than just asking for dinner," Matt whispered beside her, his warm palm resting on her back. Suddenly, she felt sandwiched between the two men, their scents enveloping her senses.

"Don't you two have exams tomorrow?" Kat whispered to them, having used their exams as an excuse to avoid them all morning.

"Not just the two of us, but the three of us," Matt chuckled. Kat had been evading the two of them all morning, citing their impending exams.

"I'll start then," Kat called out to the group and pointed at Mikhail, who had been engrossed in nursing a drink and watching the others.

"Truth or Dare?" She asked him as he looked at her surprised before finally chuckling.

"I admire your guts" Mikhail said, Kat new the only reason she could have been this comfortable around this people wasn't only because she grew up with military men raising her.

This men were different, everything about them screamed danger and pain.

"Dare, princess." His response provoked a sly smirk from Kat. She couldn't help but appreciate the relaxed atmosphere, knowing they wanted her to feel at ease and considered her part of their family.

But then, Mikhail leaned in closer, his deep voice carrying a teasing edge.

"So, what's it gonna be, princess?" His arm flexed, and the viper tattoo etched on his skin seemed to stir, hinting at an electrifying challenge yet to come.