Guarding Cindy (Special Forces: Operation Alpha)

by Paige, Victoria

  Ouch.

  There was nothing mean in her tone, it was as if she truly was sorry she wasted her parents’ time which had Marcus’s heart breaking for her all over again.

  “Well now that’s a bit harsh.” Her mother cast outraged eyes to him, but he just returned her stare impassively. He was on his girl’s side. He was past the age of kissing ass. Way past the age where he needed to seek someone else’s approval except from the person who mattered. He’d been through enough tragedies to know that when you find a chance at happiness, you grab it and treasure it. So no, Mrs. Lake, I’ve got your daughter’s back a hundred percent of the way.

  Seeing that their daughter was not receptive to their sudden attacks of caring, the conversation shifted to surface stuff, never delving too deep about the attack and how Cindy knew her abductors. They talked about her job, and she informed them she was thinking of going to college and obtaining a degree in hospitality.

  It was clear Mr. Lake was pleased but he knew better than to gloat. He patted his daughter’s hand. “Whatever you need. You know you have your gram’s inheritance which you have not touched. I’ve invested it for you and you’ll have more than enough to go to college without having to hold down a job while doing it.”

  Her parents stayed to share the large pot of gumbo. Both Phil and Lucille complimented their daughter on her cooking skills and said she would have made her gram proud. A sparkle lit Cindy’s eyes at this statement.

  Marcus was pleased her parents’ visit was finally heading in the right direction.

  They were staying at a hotel for a few days. Cindy didn’t argue, and her face was unreadable at the news. Years of damage couldn’t be undone overnight or days or weeks, but a life-threatening experience had a way of putting things into perspective and accelerating healing.

  * * *

  One week later

  “Hey, Cin!”

  She looked up from the mailbox and saw Mrs. Jung hurrying across the street with a tray of egg rolls.

  She smiled at her neighbor. “Is that Izzy’s order?”

  “Yes,” the Korean woman said, transferring her load to Cindy. “Tell her to freeze what she does not need. These are still hot.”

  “And to reheat from frozen? Three-fifty at twenty-five minutes, right?”

  Mrs. Jung shrugged. “More or less.”

  Asians didn’t like to measure things. For that matter, neither did Southerners. It was always a little of this and a little of that.

  “Your parents left?”

  There was a pang of melancholy that surrounded Cindy’s heart. In the last few days they’d tried to reconnect and there was progress. Old wounds needed to be reopened for the scars to heal right. Before Phil Lake left for the security gate at the airport, he had turned to her and asked, “Was I too late?”

  A knot had formed in Cindy’s throat at the effort her father was making for the time they lost. “No, Dad. You’re not.”

  “Marcus and I dropped them off at RIC early this morning.”

  “La … you miss them, huh? You’re sad.”

  “Yeah,” Cindy answered in a tone like she had an epiphany. “We did make plans for Thanksgiving.”

  Mrs. Jung’s lips turned down. “I’ll be by myself? I was gonna make Korean roast turkey.”

  Cindy shifted the tray on her arms. They were getting heavy. “Izzy said she’d love to have you over.”

  Her neighbor’s face brightened. “I like to see the little one. She’s like a little buddha.”

  Laughing, she headed up the driveway. “Listen, I gotta go. These suckers are getting heavy.”

  “You just can’t wait to see your man,” her neighbor said slyly.

  True that. Lord, she just saw him this morning, but this feeling hadn’t changed. Her heart leapt whenever she saw his car already parked in front of her house during those times he’d gotten home before her. Would it always be like this?

  Marcus walked out of the open garage door. “Need help with that?”

  “Not really.”

  He mooched an egg roll and took a bite.

  “Hey, that’s Izzy’s order.”

  He quickly munched down the Asian roll and relieved her of the tray. “You know Mrs. Jung makes extra for us. She loves me.”

  Cindy rolled her eyes. “Aren’t you the charming one?”

  At this, Marcus shot her a rakish grin and she couldn’t help the low flutter in her belly.

  “How did it go?” he asked, turning serious.

  That afternoon, she and Izabel were summoned by their HR department after they’d filed a complaint against Mr. Bose and his unacceptable behavior. She and Izzy were surprised how swiftly HR responded. Apparently, they’d been building a case against him after receiving numerous complaints from other employees.

  “It went really well. Mr. Stockman was there and assured us they’re taking all allegations seriously. The board is fed up with his behavior and is considering a motion to buy him out.”

  “I offered to make him disappear.” Marcus’s tone was teasing, but it didn’t lessen the underlying menace of his words. When he finally got the story about that morning from her—the situation that sent her home and straight into the lair of their deranged neighbors—it took all of Cindy’s reassurances to stop Marcus from confronting Mr. Bose. She told him it was her and Izabel’s battle and if she needed reinforcements from him, she’d let him know.

  Wrapping her arms around his waist, she gave him a squeeze. “And I appreciate the sentiment,” she deadpanned. “But the last thing I need is a boyfriend thrown into jail over a lowlife like him.”

  Marcus stopped walking and stared down at her. “I’m actually offended that you think I’d let myself get caught.”

  Cindy laughed and gave him a light kiss. He chuckled and they headed into the house from the garage.

  Stopping short of the kitchen, she sniffed the air and could make out the unmistakable smell of sautéed meat and onion.

  “You cooked?”

  Moving farther into the house, the seldom-used dining table was set with two place settings and unfamiliar candle sticks.

  “I have my uses in the kitchen besides being a caffeine pusher.” Marcus set down the egg rolls on the countertop. He grabbed a kitchen towel and took out a baking dish from the oven. “I can do a mean Texas barbecue. Of course, on the grill, Maddox and I disagree who’s the master. But something else I can do well is baked spaghetti.”

  “That looks scrumptious.” Cindy eyed the heavenly cheese bubbling on the surface like trapped molten lava.

  “Scrumptious … is that a foodie word?”

  “No, it’s not,” she replied in mock-offense. “Can’t wait to dig in.”

  He grinned big. “You’re a tough customer to please, but this was Adam and Joe’s …” His smile fell abruptly and he glanced away. “I need to get the wine.”

  Cindy’s heart squeezed for this strong man who battled his way back from such an unspeakable tragedy. She came up behind him and touched his back. His shoulders tensed and he exhaled deeply, looking briefly at the ceiling before his head bowed and returned his attention to the bottle of red, threading the opener and pulling out the cork.

  He turned to face her, his face etched in bittersweet. “Sorry, that took me by—”

  “Marcus …” She put a finger on his lips which compressed into a straight line. “My turn, okay? Lean on me. Tell me what just happened? How can I help?”

  He poured a glass of wine and handed it to her. He left the other goblet unfilled and grabbed a glass of water for himself.

  “You’re already helping me,” he told her, guiding her to the kitchen counter where he uncovered a bowl of what looked like artichoke dip. Cindy took a seat and sipped her wine, waiting for him to say more.

  His mouth tipped into a tentative smile. “I want to be with you, Cin. Build a life with you. Life’s too short to always wait for the right time.” He put his glass on the counter, took both her hands in his and pulled her fr
om the bar stool, holding her close, their noses almost touching. “I was going to say this with a candlelight dinner and some mood music, but I think now’s a perfect time as any because my heart is full.”

  “Marcus …”

  “I’m in love with you. Deeply. You probably know that by now. You feel it, don’t you, sugar?”

  She did and she nodded.

  “Good. I reacted that way when I remembered Adam and Joe because an image of you and our child”—he inhaled deeply—“flashed before me, but I realized I may never have that and I’d be okay with it if it’s just you and me.”

  “Why did you think we can’t have that?”

  “You have so much to plan in your life. Going to school, starting a business. Kids can hold you back.”

  “Stop right there,” Cindy said sternly. “Didn’t you just say life’s too short?”

  He gave a brief nod.

  “Then why can’t we have it all?”

  “Have it all?”

  “The two point five kids, a career, a business, and the white picket fence—”

  “I want that,” he growled and crushed her mouth against his. Somehow, he maneuvered them against the kitchen island with him leaning against it, pulling her in, his palm cupping the back of her head as his mouth demanded a response and the only recourse was to open and let him in. Their tongues tasted each other’s hopes, fears, and yes, love. So much love in every touch, and every breath and the desperate groan that vibrated against her palm on his chest as their kisses grew frenzied.

  Somehow Marcus managed to remove his shirt while she was left standing in her undies. She pulled away, glanced down between them, and laughed with how quickly he undressed her.

  Fingers gripped the edges of the fragile fabric.

  “Don’t you dare rip them off, Harrelson.”

  He chuckled. “I think I’ll fuck you while you’re wearing them.” Marcus switched their positions and boosted her up on the countertop, spreading her legs to accommodate his hips. Humor disappeared from his eyes and impatience scored his features. His fingers worked frantically between them, lowering his zipper, the sound making her shiver with anticipation.

  “God, I love you, sugar.” His mouth grabbed a taste of her again and the head of his cock slipped around her panties. “Condom?” His voice was pained, guttural.

  “Not between us.”

  “Thank fuck.” He surged inside her, pulling her off the edge of the counter that she clung to him, giving him almost her entire weight. She was wet just enough to feel the sublime friction of his grinding thrusts as he moved inside her. Cindy couldn’t count how many times she’d peaked, and each time, Marcus would break their kiss and grunt for her to come again.

  And she did. Endlessly. The first, a supernova of raw need, her succeeding ones were delicious pulses that made her cling to him weakly. And yet, Marcus showed no signs of slowing down as he took and chased and claimed, and Cindy gave it all up to him. Whatever he needed, she gave it to him.

  He shuddered, his growl rumbled as he buried himself deeper and stayed embedded, his warmth spilling into her. They stayed connected for a while. Gusts of his breath teased the loose tendrils by her forehead.

  No words were uttered, the space between them thick with unspoken emotions.

  Finally, Marcus pulled back and kissed the tip of her nose, lowering her legs briefly before immediately scooping her up. He carried her to the hallway bathroom and deposited her on the counter. He hooked and slipped off her panties. He warmed a wet towel and cleaned between her legs.

  “Oh,” Cindy moaned softly as a residual pleasure pulsed between her legs.

  “Sorry for the wham bam.” Marcus grinned. “Couldn’t help myself.”

  “The wham bam was perfect.” She linked her fingers around his neck, bringing his face closer. “And this may not be the perfect place to say this, but, I love you too, Marcus Harrelson.”

  “You didn’t have to say it back.”

  “No. I didn’t,” she said. “But it’s the truth. I’ve never said those words to any man before, just so you know.”

  “Well hell, I better snatch you right up and marry you.”

  “Is that your version of a proposal, sailor?” she sassed.

  “Depends. Are you gonna say yes?” He asked the question in all seriousness. Cindy waited for her commitment-phobic self to rear its ugly head but it never did. Not a single peep or sight.

  “Ask me properly, Marcus Harrelson.”

  “Oh, I will, sugar. But first …”

  Epilogue

  Four Years Later

  “Graduating with a baccalaureate degree as magna cum laude—Cindy Harrelson!”

  She froze when her name was called. Cindy was the first in the line of graduates and the lights on the stage were daunting. The auditorium crowd cheered and clapped, but it was a distinct holler that gave her the courage to move.

  “Go, sugar!” Marcus’s voice rang gravelly and strong in that Texas drawl she loved so much.

  Cindy glanced to her left and blindly flashed a grin before she ascended the stage to face another chapter in her life.

  After caps were tossed and gowns removed, Cindy looked around in search for her husband. Marcus wasn’t hard to spot in the crowd. He was as imposing as the day she’d met him all those years ago. He’d only grown more attractive with age. The first hints of gray had started to appear by his temple, but with Virginia Beach his home base now, the sun had bleached his hair gold and tanned his skin a deep bronze.

  Her golden god.

  Following behind him was Mrs. Jung or Sooks as they fondly called her. Jung Eun-Sook had been her business partner of the past three years. Together they’d taken over the Honey Grazer in Pungo, giving Southern dishes an Asian spin. There was a large ethnic crowd in Virginia Beach and word spread like wildfire. Their business grew at a rapid pace and there were talks about opening a second location on Ocean Drive. But one step at a time.

  Next up were her parents. The past four years had mended their relationship. It was slow, there was a lot of resentment and hurt after all, but she was at a good place with Momma and Dad. Would it have been the same as a bond forged from childhood?

  Probably not.

  Her tribe was almost at her row and she was impatient for the people in front of her to move on. It was painstakingly slow, but good things come to those who wait.

  Always.

  “Momma!”

  Her two-year-old son, Ryan, sitting proudly in the crook of his daddy’s arm. Their baby boy had the shade of her blond curls but his features were distinctly Marcus. As she emerged from her row, her husband of three years hooked her around the waist and brought her into his embrace, planting a kiss smack on her lips.

  “Congratulations, graduate.”

  “Thank you, husband.” She shifted her arms just as their son dove into her. “Were you a good boy for Daddy, Ryan?”

  Bringing a two-year-old to a four-hour ceremony could be daunting, but Marcus wasn’t willing to leave their boy to a babysitter for Cindy’s graduation, so he planned for everything with the precision only a SEAL could achieve—food, tablet with headphones, and Ryan’s favorite cuddle-friend, Mr. Binky—a two-footed hippopotamus. And if all else failed and if Ryan turned fussy, Mrs. Jung was there as his quick-reaction team.

  She turned now to her Korean friend who gave her a bear hug, squeezing Ryan between them who didn’t mind.

  Next came her parents. Her dad had tears in his eyes.

  “So proud of you, ladybug.”

  “Daddy,” was all she said.

  * * *

  As Cindy hugged her mom and dad, Marcus took that opportunity to stand back and watch them. Seeing Ryan in his mother’s arms made his heart ache. Sometimes he wondered if he deserved this kind of happiness, but he wasn’t going to question fate. He’d let go of his guilt a long time ago and he’d been given this second chance to become a father again. He wasn’t going to fuck it up. And to build this family with
the love of his life? It was heaven.

  “Ahhh congratulations, Cin!” Izzy yelled as the two best friends hugged each other and danced around like crazy. Mrs. Jung scooped Ryan out of Cindy’s arms before their boy could be squished between the two friends.

  Drake walked up to him, a smile playing on his lips. “Looking mighty pleased there, Commander.”

  His lips twitched. “I am.”

  Both of them looked on their women with tenderness.

  “We made it through to the other side, man,” Drake said, his face somber. “Wasn’t easy, was it?”

  “No, it wasn’t.” He clapped Drake on the shoulder and moved past him to reclaim Cindy from the others. “But in the end? Love always wins.”

  *** The End ***

  Read Drake and Izabel’s story here.

  Acknowledgments

  Big thanks to Susan Stoker for the opportunity to write in your world again. Your continued generosity in sharing your characters is an inspiration for writers everywhere.

  Thanks to my editor Victoria Colotta of VMC Art & Design. Your edits and valuable insights into my characters and plot were essential to the final copy of the manuscript.

  Much thanks to Ms. D and Brynne Asher for taking time out of your busy day and providing extra eyes to the manuscript and pointing out areas that need further clarity and resolution.

  To my Alpha Team Bar members, I love you all for your continued support. I’m honored that you choose to be a part of my reader group.

  To readers and bloggers everywhere, thank you for reading and supporting my words.

  And finally, to my hubby. The care and feeding of an author isn’t easy, but you handle it with a lot of love and patience and it’s another reason why I love you!

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