In the distance he heard sirens coming. They couldn’t stay like this forever, good as it was.
When they pulled away enough to look at each other and looked deeply into each other’s eyes, each searching the other, somewhere deep down in their souls, they knew. This was right. Being together was right.
The sheriff arrived, along with his deputies.
“They’ll want statements from everyone,” he said.
“Will an ambulance come for you?”
“I don’t need one,” he said.
“You’re going to the hospital,” Hank said. “I’ll drive you.” He looked at Chyna. “Don’t worry. He’ll be okay.”
“I want to go too,” she said. “It’s my fault you’re hurt.”
“Nope. Not your fault.” Barrett shook his head. “I don’t want to hear that. None of this is your fault.”
“I want to go anyway,” she said.
“Okay.” A part of him was glad. Though normally he didn’t like women fussing over him, she was behaving as if she cared.
They were into the morning hours by the time they left the hospital and the three of them hadn’t had any sleep. Chyna had been quiet on the drive back to the ranch.
“Do you think she’s asleep?” Hank asked. “She’s had a rough night.”
“She is not,” Chyna answered from the back seat. “And everyone has had a rough night, especially Barrett.”
“I’m good,” he said.
“I can’t believe Finn is dead,” she said. “He’s really dead and he’ll never hurt me again. None of them will.”
“It’s over,” Barrett said. “You never have to be afraid of them again.”
“Thank you,” she said. “For everything you’ve taught me and for listening and for being here to protect me. I’m glad it’s all over now.”
“You’re welcome,” he said.
“Now there’s something I need to tell you,” she said. “And this is as good a time as any.”
The serious way she spoke had every inch of him on alert as he tried to see her from the front seat. Was there more? Some other danger?
“Tell me,” he said.
“I have to fire you now.”
He turned and looked at her, dumbfounded for the first time in his life. This was the last thing he’d expected to hear.
Giving her a deep look and a long pause, he spoke the one word on his mind. “Why?”
She took a deep breath and then words came tumbling out, “Because it’s against the rules to date my self defense instructor and now that the four men out to take my life are dead, I don’t need the classes any more. I don’t want to train under you. I want to date you. I know what Leah says, and I get all that but, I want to get to know you better. A lot better. I…” She paused.
He noted the way a different kind of fear was in her eyes. One that he’d never seen before and one he hadn’t expected. His eyes searched hers as he waited for her to finish.
“Uh, unless you don’t want to get to know me or don’t want to date me. If you’re not interested, then I’ll just …” her voice and her gaze trailed away.
“Thank you for firing me. Best thing that has happened to me in a long time.” As she looked back into his eyes again he said, “I’ve wanted to date you and get to know you too.”
The way her face lit up and the beautiful smile she gave him was an image that he’d remember for the rest of his life.
“We’ll go slow,” he said. “Leah is right. We need to get to know each other outside of training.” He turned to Hank who had been quietly listening and driving. “Consider this my resignation as self defense instructor.”
Hank laughed. “Now why did I see that coming?” He nodded. “Done. I or one of the other guys will step in.”
“Oh thank you,” Chyna said.
“I’ve never been so happy to be fired in my life,” Barrett joked. “In fact, I’ve never been fired before.”
They all laughed.
Later, Chyna and Barrett cuddled together talking until the stars came out. They’d taken to going for evening drives in his truck to get privacy and they would spread a blanket out and lie down watching the stars in between talking and making out.
“I love the night sky here in Montana,” Chyna said. “No light pollution.”
“I like it too,” he said. “Especially sharing it with you.”
She smiled and snuggled closer.
“Do you know where you want to go when you leave the center?” he asked.
“Haven’t made any plans. I can go anywhere,” she said. “Today I found out I might be able to get my old job back. They’ve made some positions online where you can work from home. No commute, you just do video calls or phone calls. Then travel a couple times a year to the main office. I’m going to see if they’ll hire me back.”
“That’s fantastic,” he smiled at her. “I’d like you to stay here in Montana so we can spend time together,” he said. “Would you consider that?”
“Why do you think I’m looking into this job?” she smiled back at him. “I want to be near you.” She wiggled against him to emphasize her words.
He kissed her forehead.
She closed her eyes for the kiss.
“Perfect,” he said. “There’s one more thing.”
She looked at him expectantly. “Yes?”
“I want you to continue your training. It’s important. Even if we’re a couple, I can’t be with you twenty-four seven to look out for you. I want my girl to know how to protect herself as much as she can. When you’re out of the program I want you to keep training on the side.”
“With you or with someone else? I know what Leah would say.” She rolled her eyes. “I think we’re going plenty slow. In fact, too slow.”
“I know you do,” he said. “And you can train with whoever you want. I won’t be jealous. I want you to learn the skills and to be safe.”
“I’ve loved having you teach me, but I’d much rather you just be you, and I’ll just be me. For now.”
“Deal,” he said. “You may not know this, but I had to really focus to do my job and not let you turn my head. I have to tell you I had to work real hard at that.”
She smiled as happiness ran through her, filling her up.
He smiled back, his eyes searching hers. And then he kissed her, deep and long. When they came up for air again, he said, “Oh yeah. I like this much better than being your instructor. I love the way you taste. I love the way you feel in my arms. And seeing you happy, that's the best thing of all.”
“I love being in your arms. It feels right. I love the way you kiss. Can we do that again soon?” She grinned up at him.
“We can do that as often as you like,” he said. “Any time you like.”
“Now can you kiss me again?” Chyna said. “I’ve been waiting far too long for another.”
He laughed. “Of course.” He pulled her in for another deep, long kiss.
When they finally came up for air, he said, “I could spend a lifetime kissing you. A kiss like this is like a dream I want to dream every night.”
“Such a good kisser, and romantic too,” she said, smiling. “I really like this side of you. Where have you been hiding?”
“Well, I had to be professional. Can’t be kissing the students; that just wouldn't do.” He shook his head.
“Oh, I agree. You must promise never to kiss one of your students. Never, ever.” She frowned.
“I’ve never wanted to kiss one until I met you. You made me want to break rules.”
“You made me want to break them too,” she said. “I’m gad you finally decided to break a rule.”
“You like bad boys? Who break rules?”
“No. I only like you. You’re the only bad boy I want. But you’re not much of a boy.”
“No,” he laughed, “I'm not.”
“Oh,” she said, her eyes growing wider. “Let’s break another rule. Let’s get naked. Now.”
“Already?
Don’t you want to get to know each other more?”
“We’ve been getting to know each other long enough.” She stood and peeled off her sundress. She was bare beneath it. “I don’t want to wait any longer.”
“If you’re sure.” His eyes searched hers, making doubly sure, even though he wanted to roam his gaze over every inch of her body, now pale beneath the full moon.
“Yes, I’m sure.” She held out her hands and wiggled her fingers toward herself in a come here move. “Come on. I want to see what you look like naked.”
That was all the invitation he needed to shuck off his clothes and soon he was naked and hard at attention.
“Oh, you really want me too,” she said, smiling.
“Yes, sweetheart. I really do.” He grinned deep. “Now you get to call the shots. You direct me. What next?”
“Oh, I get to be in charge?” Her voice filled with surprise.
“Yes. You do.” He winked. “This time. I don’t mind taking turns. Tell me what you want, Chyna.”
“You know, I always used to watch you, when you did push ups.”
“Yeah, I do know.”
“I used to watch you doing push ups and I’d imagine myself under you.”
“No wonder you couldn’t keep count of what you were doing.” He laughed.
“Yeah, my mind was kind of elsewhere when we did that.” She came up to him, putting her hand on his chest. “I’d love to make that fantasy come true.”
“I’d love to make that fantasy come true for you,” he said.
“You know how Leah is always saying take it slow?”
“Yes.”
“Every time she says that I imagine you in that position over me doing your pushups real slow. I like it slow. In fact, I wonder how slow can you go?”
“As slow as you want, honey. You just tell me how you like it, and that’s what we’ll do.”
He was harder and harder every minute he thought of her beneath him. Hearing her daydream just made him want her more.
“But first, I want to kiss you,” he said as he reached his hand into the hair at the back of her neck. Then he pulled her close and kissed her again, long and slow.
They kissed each other until they were both breathless. Every time she tried to hurry him, he said, “Slow, baby, slow.”
She wanted it slow and that was exactly what he was going to do.
This was what Chyna had been missing all her life. This kiss, this touch, these emotions, this man. There was no doubt in her mind he was the right man. Her body was in full agreement, and it seemed so was his. At some point he’d taken a condom and he rolled it on as she reached for him, wanting to pull him back down. She was ready and tired of waiting.
Barrett went so slow, she wanted to scream. But didn’t, because he knew just went to pause, when to move again and when to kiss her. He kissed her again and again, stroked her long and slow, taking her mind off of thinking and words until she was just feeling and moving and exploding, and then exploding again as he exploded with her, beneath the full moon and a sky full of twinkling stars. It was the best orgasm of her life.
Afterward, when she lay spent and breathing hard, he kissed her and then said, “That was amazing.”
“It was wonderful,” her eyes were full and she was near tears she was so happy. “I’ve waited so long for this.” The truth was, she’d waited for this all her life.
He kissed her lips again, and then he said, “I waited for you too. I waited for you to finish the classes. I waited for you to want to get to know me. I waited for you for what felt like forever.”
Chyna sighed a deep sigh of contentment.
They cuddled for a while and soon it was time to take her back to the ranch. This time though, he lingered and she sensed he wanted to talk to her some more. Chyna held back and waited while he gathered his thoughts.
His finger stroked her cheek and he smiled at her. “You were a surprise,” he said. “I didn’t expect to meet you or to fall for you and then there you were in my class. Beautiful, and fighting your fears. I saw you grow with each class, saw your spirit and how you were determined and strong.”
“Strong?” She laughed. “I’ve never been strong. I’ve been teased about being a Chyna doll all my life.”
“You’re no Chyna doll. You are not broken Chyna. You’re in your own category.”
“Really?” she laughed. “What category is that?”
“You’re a strong and unbreakable Chyna.” He searched her eyes. “I hope one day you’ll look in the mirror and see that.”
She let his words soak in, deep down in her soul, and knew them for the most loving words a man had ever spoken to her.
Good love builds a woman up, it doesn’t tear her down. That was what Leah always said.
And now Chyna had found that in this strong warrior by her side.
She smiled, looking deep into his eyes. “Unbreakable Chyna. I like that.”
THE END
Afterword
Note from the author:
I hope and pray that one day domestic abuse will no longer take place anywhere. Until that day . . . Please know that if this has happened to you, you are not alone and you are loved. Reach out to someone, anyone, and let one of us help. – Debra Parmley, founder Shimmy Mob Memphis.
United States International Domestic Abuse Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
For more information about domestic abuse, resources and information about international Shimmy Mob go to
www.ShimmyMob.com
Original Brotherhood Protectors Series
By Elle james
Brotherhood Protectors Series
Montana SEAL (#1)
Bride Protector SEAL (#2)
Montana D-Force (#3)
Cowboy D-Force (#4)
Montana Ranger (#5)
Montana Dog Soldier (#6)
Montana SEAL Daddy (#7)
Montana Ranger’s Wedding Vow (#8)
Montana SEAL Undercover Daddy (#9)
Cape Code SEAL Rescue (#10)
Montana SEAL Friendly Fire (#11)
Montana SEAL’s Bride (#12) TBD
Montana Rescue
Hot SEAL, Salty Dog
About Elle James
ELLE JAMES also writing as MYLA JACKSON is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of books including cowboys, intrigues and paranormal adventures that keep her readers on the edges of their seats. With over eighty works in a variety of sub-genres and lengths she has published with Harlequin, Samhain, Ellora’s Cave, Kensington, Cleis Press, and Avon. When she’s not at her computer, she’s traveling, snow skiing, boating, or riding her ATV, dreaming up new stories. Learn more about Elle James at www.ellejames.com
Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Newsletter | BookBub | Amazon
Follow Elle!
www.ellejames.com
[email protected]
Defensive Instructor - Debra Parmley Page 11