The Oasis Read online

  Lena brushed the tears from her face and leaned up to kiss him. Their lips lingered before she pulled away. He reached around to hold her. Their bodies pressed together and she hesitated to let go of his hand. She let her body lean against his, her breasts pushed against his muscular chest.

  “I think I love you,” she whispered, then looked away quickly as a blush crossed her face.

  He smiled, teeth flashing against his dark skin. “Well, I know I love you.” As her flush deepened, he lifted her chin with his knuckles. He closed his eyes and kissed her again, letting his love penetrate through the kiss. His tongue caressed hers and he groaned as she pressed her body to his. “If we get through this alive,” he said, honestly not sure if they would or not, “will you marry me?”

  She was shocked by his proposal. The institution of marriage wasn’t something she had ever thought much about. And after the world had all but ended, she had never thought of meeting someone like Jasper, let alone getting married.

  “Lena,” he whispered her name, and she couldn’t believe this was happening. There were several men out there ready to kill them on sight, and she was considering a marriage proposal from a man who had kept possibly the most important secret in the free world from her. “Marry me.” It wasn’t a question. Her mood was suddenly buoyant and she knew she was going to say yes.

  “We need to get to the O.A.S.I.S.,” she whispered smiling at him. He laughed quietly, knowing that her answer meant yes. They would be together until the end.

  * * * * *

  Lena knew they were getting close to their destination when she started to see military quarantine signs. The roads were harder to maneuver because of the clusters of abandoned cars. It would only be a matter of time before they would have to get out and walk. Spotting a motorcycle on the side of the road, Lena slowed the car. She wasn’t sure if Jasper was well enough to ride on one, but there was no way they would make it to the coast with the roads blocked as they were.

  Some of the roads were crossed by barbed wire. The wires alone weren’t so bad, but the bodies—or what was left of the bodies—tangled in the wires made Lena gag. And there were signs about every ten feet.

  Violators will be shot.

  Military personnel only.

  Virus-free zone.

  Only one warning will be given before shooting.

  Lena tried not to imagine the chaos that had to have taken place here so long ago.

  Jasper stared silently ahead. As she pulled over to the side of the road, he nodded at her and they got out of the car.

  “We need to get to Coronado. The facility is there.”

  He eased himself slowly onto the motorcycle.

  She wanted to tell him that he was in no condition to drive, but she wasn’t exactly feeling one hundred percent either. Looking over her shoulder, she feared the worst.

  “They’re going to come for us.”

  He didn’t need to tell her. Seeing Eric in the home they had taken refuge in told her that he would stop at nothing to get to them. Sliding her arms around Jasper’s back, she held him close.

  He weaved the motorcycle through the piled-up cars with ease. If she hadn’t seen the wound on his arm before he’d wrapped it in his shirt, she would never have known he was hurt.

  As they drove over the bridge, glided past the stopped cars, she saw a few others wandering around. The zone, maybe once virus-free, was now quite occupied by others. She wondered whether they would run into other SEALs here as well. All they could hope for was that they could get to the laboratory and find the information about the cure as quickly as possible.

  Pulling off down the road, they finally entered the base.

  Glistening oceans and beautiful beaches surrounded the island. The view was breathtaking.

  As they slowed down, Lena noticed that Jasper seemed to heading for somewhere other than the office buildings she’d assumed were their destination.

  “Where are we going?” she shouted over the revving of the engine.

  He turned his head slightly. “We need to get you safe.”

  “Wait a minute!” she shouted, tugging on his shoulders.

  Swerving slightly, he pulled the motorcycle to the side of the road. He had known this argument was going to happen.

  “I am not going somewhere safe!” Lena knew she didn’t have a compelling argument, but she had nothing else to hold on to.

  “Fuck, Lena! Don’t you get it?” Jasper shook his head, exasperated, but revved the bike and pulled it back onto the road, continuing the way they were originally headed.

  Although she knew that he was only intent on protecting her, she was tired of it. She’d been taking care of herself for five years. It was time for him to accept that she was going to be with him until the end. Whether that came sooner or later.

  Chapter Twelve

  They drove in silence—not that Lena could talk over the noise of the engine. They were going to have to ditch the motorcycle soon. With the free man coming closer and no way of knowing who else was following them, it was better to be stealthy than efficient.

  Lena couldn’t help but be glad that although Jasper didn’t want her to go with him, he wasn’t exactly kicking her off the bike. The change of direction gave her hope that he was coming to his senses. It wasn’t really a matter of what was best for her, now that their time was limited.

  Jasper knew that he needed to get to work on the cure as quickly as possible. Eric would be on them before they knew it and his body had already been through hell. He honestly didn’t think he or Lena would survive another attack. It had been more than forty-eight hours since he had gotten any decent sleep and his arm really needed medical attention.

  “Where are we going?” Lena yelled after a bit.

  “We need to make a quick stop.” Jasper didn’t want to yell and they were right around the corner from the armory. If they needed anything it was going to be a shitload of weapons. This time, he was going to face those sons of bitches packing a lot of heat.

  He pulled the bike to the side of the building. They didn’t need it any more and he didn’t want to draw any more attention to the building than necessary. Hopping off the bike, he headed for the entrance.

  Lena was left on the motorcycle, staring at his back. She wasn’t sure where they were. She watched as he tried to open the door.

  “What are we doing now?” she asked, not really surprised that the door was locked. The look on Jasper’s face told her that he wasn’t either.

  “Come on,” he tapped her arm gently and she followed him around the building.

  The windows were barred, as were those in all the buildings around them.

  As they approached the back of the building, Lena smiled as Jasper turned to her, pointing. “Ta-da!” he said and she couldn’t help but laugh. There, in the side of the building, was a gigantic hole. Someone had obviously been there before and was now inadvertently helping them get inside.

  “How?” she asked when he winked at her.

  “Who knows. There was a lot of chaos here near the end.”

  She nodded as he climbed over the rubble.

  Looking over the destitution of the rest of the base, she wasn’t sure how they would have managed to get into the building if there hadn’t been the hole.

  Walking through the halls, she realized where they were. It was some kind of office building.

  “When things got bad, they moved the weapons and ammo over here.”

  When they entered an office suite, Jasper lifted a tarp off an arsenal of weapons. Every kind of weapon Lena could think of was there, and some that she hadn’t seen before. Some weapons were obviously for the Special Forces and not for the average soldier.

  He picked up a gun, cocked it and set it on the table.

  Lena sat back and watched him work, her eyes following the muscles on his arms as they rippled under the weight of some of the weapons.

  Suddenly she realized that now was the best time to discuss what was going
to happen next. “Listen, Jasper,” she said but he didn’t stop his packing. “I’m going with you.”

  She raised her hand when he arched an eyebrow in her direction, the only indicator that he was even listening to her. “I know what you want to say. ‘I want to keep you safe.’” She imitated Jasper’s voice as best she could. Trying not to laugh, she continued when he rolled his eyes at her impression of him. “Seriously.” She stepped towards him and pressed her hand to his chest, stilling his actions. “I am coming with you.”

  He raised his hand and ran his finger caressingly along her collarbone. Her eyes followed his to her chest as his finger traced the lines of her shirt. He dropped his head and let his mouth trail where his fingers had just been.

  Letting her head fall back, she moaned as his mouth traced along her breastbone. He pulled her body to his and lifted her onto the table. He pressed his hips between her open legs as he continued his assault on her body. She didn’t try to stop him or push him away. As he pulled her closer, his mouth trailed up her neck and found her lips. He kissed her and she let her hands explore the contours of his back. His tongue stroked hers and he longed to be inside her.

  Although he knew their time together was short, he quickly unfastened her pants and pulled them off. Next he unbuttoned her shirt, giving him full access to her lovely body. He lowered her back to the table and let his mouth explore her curves. His tongue trailed between her breasts and dropped down to her belly button. He lingered there as she gasped from his touch.

  Her mind was racing but Lena couldn’t put two thoughts together. As Jasper made love to her body, she thought about all the times she had wanted him since they had met. Their eyes met and she let her hands drift into his hair. She lightly twisted one of his dreads between her fingers then let it fall. Her head fell back as his mouth found her core.

  Through her panties, he caressed her and his mouth drove her to madness. She moaned out his name as he made love to her through the thin fabric.

  “Jasper, please,” she whispered as she felt like she was going to explode on the table.

  Instantly he was on top of her, pulling off her the rest of her clothes. His desire heightened. Unfastening his own pants, he pressed the tip of his shaft against her. Closing her eyes, she was more than ready for him as he felt her wetness for him. Looking down at her through hooded lids, he saw her body convulse under him. It drove him crazy to see her, her head rocking back and forth as she moaned under him.

  Rubbing against him, she desperately wanted him inside of her. When she opened her eyes he was staring down at her, memorizing every inch of her body as it quivered for him. “Jasper, I want you.”

  He was inside of her before she finished the sentence. Their bodies rocked together as he let his hands fall to her exposed breasts. He rubbed her nipples until she moaned with ecstasy.

  He felt himself reaching the peak of his own lust. Her head had fallen back and her hair had come loose and he grabbed for it as he pressed his lips to hers.

  “Lena, I…” his words were lost as he continued to thrust into her.

  Lena exploded with pleasure, her body pulsing against his. Floating high, she held onto Jasper’s shoulders as she let herself go.

  He soon joined her as he released inside of her. His head arched back and he called out her name as he filled her completely. Their union complete and fulfilling, he fell on top of her and let himself go entirely.

  Wrapping her arms around him, she held onto him, letting her own needs be filled. As much as she wanted to be able to lose herself in him, all too soon reality came crashing back in. She knew he wanted to lie there with her too. She held him for a moment longer, then released him when he pulled away.

  He helped her up and hesitantly pulled up his pants. He turned back to his preparations, leaving no time for talking. Lena wasn’t even sure what could have been said. She knew that their lives were in danger and that the fate of millions rested on the completion of their mission. She didn’t have time for childish fantasies of normalcy. Not that a normal relationship was even possible now.

  Sighing, she got dressed quickly and helped gather the weapons. Throwing herself into the work, she tried not to think about Jasper between her legs, but his image kept creeping back and she had to bite her lip to stop a moan from escaping.

  Pulling the last of the guns onto the table, Jasper turned towards Lena, who was standing still, openly staring at him. He smiled and pulled her to him for one last kiss. Their lips lingered on each other’s.

  “We gotta get going.”

  His words brought her back to the real work once again. “Jasper, I’m going with you,” she repeated. He kept his mouth shut and let her speak her piece. “I know what you are thinking.”

  “You do?” He tried to hold in a chuckle.

  “Yes, you are trying to protect me. But listen,” she held up her hand to stop him from interrupting her. “I’m coming with you no matter what you say. For once in your stubborn life you need to realize that you are going to need my help. Together we can do this.” She stopped, staring at him, threatening him to try and tell her she wasn’t going.

  Shaking his head, he rested his hand on her waist. “You’re right.”

  “There is nothing you can say,” Lena continued, prepared for a fight. “Wait… What?” The meaning of his words finally dawned on her. “I’m right?”

  He laughed and kissed her cheek. “Come on. We have a lot to do and little time.”

  Narrowing her eyes, she was instantly back on the alert. “I’m not going with you if you plan on tying me up somewhere.”

  No longer able to contain his laughter, Jasper smiled at her. “I promise not to tie you up. Yet.” She paused mid-step and looked into his eyes, full of humor. “Come on,” he repeated, pulling her along.

  * * * * *

  Lena’s body was covered with weapons. A Berretta automatic machine gun on her back was loaded and ready to fire. Two holstered pistols crisscrossed her chest. She had an AK-63 automatic rifle on one leg and a long knife on the other. A bulletproof vest covered her chest and a holster with magazine clips was wrapped around her waist. The weight of the weapons was intense.

  Jasper didn’t break a sweat even though he carried much more than she did. Half the weapons he was wearing were unlike any she had ever seen. They looked ready to start a two-person war, and in a sense that was exactly what they were doing.

  Jasper nodded at Lena, and they quickly made their way across the base. They left the motorcycle, knowing that they would blend better into the environment—and make much less noise—without it.

  Jasper’s SEAL training came into play instantly. He was stealthy and quick in his movements and he kept the gun in his hand raised. He carried a sniper rifle, keeping his eyes out for not only any others who made it through the wire fences but also for the other SEALs.

  Lena followed his actions as closely as she could. Stumbling once, she righted herself without Jasper’s help, while he didn’t take his eyes off their destination. Ahead of them, the O.A.S.I.S. lay. A sign outside distinguished it from the other similar looking buildings. There was evidence that Eric and his men had once been there. Small camp fires, and flattened areas that might have held tents, outside the front door looked as if they had been abandoned long ago. If Eric’s men had once waited there, expecting Jasper to return to the O.A.S.I.S., they had deserted their posts years ago. She knew that right now, everything depended on them getting to that safe.

  Jasper slowed his pace to allow her to keep up with him. Although he was packing twice the number of weapons, he knew that she was doing the best she could and they had to stick together.

  They reached the lab building quickly and Jasper went around back. Reaching up, he slid a window open.

  “Okay, I’m gonna lift you up first. Keep your gun ready on the other side.”

  She nodded and stepped into his clasped hands. She struggled but pulled her body over the ledge and tumbled into the room. Jasper was i
n the room before she could right herself.

  “Silly girl,” he whispered and tossed her a cocky smile before looking around. The room they’d landed in was probably used for some kind of storage. Boxes lined the walls in no apparent order. Leading the way, Jasper stealthily led her down a short hallway. Reaching the end, they entered a room filled with microscopes and other medical equipment. She didn’t know what half the stuff was.

  Nodding at Lena, Jasper quickly headed out of the door. They’d already discussed the plan. She was supposed to keep an eye out for any others who might have made it into the facility, as well as for the free man.

  She slowly walked around the room, stepping over decayed bodies.

  “Eww,” Lena whispered, her face puckering at the sight. No matter how much she saw death, she never got used to it.

  Suddenly the lights flickered on, startling her. She raised her gun and looked carefully around the room.

  “It’s me,” Jasper said, and re-entered the room slowly. He winked at her and got to work.

  Crossing the room, Jasper was easily able to locate the vault that Dr. Pinkerson had mentioned. He entered the numbers that the good doctor had given to him. Inside he followed the written instructions to a T, even though he had studied the lab book through countless nights. By now he could probably recite it. But he had never done any kind of lab work before and he knew that if Dr. Pinkerson hadn’t kept a journal of the development of both the virus and the cure, then someone like Jasper could never have duplicated it.

  Opening what was probably a refrigeration unit, though now of course it was no colder than the rest of the facility, he saw a few labeled dishes. He found the one marked “H5-37”—the virus. Studying it, he was mesmerized by the fact that such a simple thing could cause so much destruction. Next to it, he found the dish he was looking for. Casually he tossed the H5-37 dish into the trash. Lighting a match, he tossed it into the garbage can as well and let it burn. There was no way he could allow anyone—and that included his fellow SEALs—to have access to such a deadly virus.