Speed King (Men of Action)

by Ahren Sanders

  The warmth of his breath coats my lips, and I tip up, opening to give him access. His tongue sweeps through my mouth slowly, touching everywhere before tangling with mine. His hand travels up my back and winds in my hair, caressing my scalp as he angles to go deeper.

  I follow his lead, the kiss turning greedy and desperate. Both of us needing more. The hand at my hip slides lower, tucking up the top of my thighs. I give him what he wants, bracing so he can lift me.

  I kiss him harder, pouring every emotion into my strokes. He growls, taking over again, sucking on my tongue and breaking away enough to get a breath.

  Electric heat spreads through my body, taking over, and I force all thoughts out of my head except this moment and how I feel in his arms.

  Too soon, there’s a loud rap at his door followed by two softer ones, indicating it’s time. Achilles slows, placing sweet kisses across my lips.

  “I love you, Achilles.”

  “I love you, too, Harley. More than anything.”

  “Come home to me and give me my forever.”

  “Forever isn’t enough time, but it’s yours.”

  I press my lips together to keep from bursting into tears. “It’s ours.”

  He places me on my feet, lacing our fingers together, and grabs his bag.

  When we get to the living room area, the guys are dressed identically to Achilles. A coldness slithers through my veins and I move in closer.

  Then I notice my best friend and see she’s barely holding it together. She is not plastered to Major, but she’s standing at his side with her hand wound around his elbow. Whatever is happening has spooked her.

  Talon comes over, jostling me into a gentle hug. “Take care of my plants, Jay.”

  “You have plants?”

  “A few. Mom’s doing. They’re in my room.”

  “I’m not very good with plants.”

  “They’re easy. If you can take care of Kingston, you can do it.”

  I kiss his cheek, cupping his chin. “Love you, Talon. Please take care.”

  “Always. Made you a promise, Jay-Jay. Not breaking that.”

  Ford steps in, taking his place and lifting me as much as he can with my hand still in Achilles’. “Do me a favor and don’t turn our house into a Hallmark movie set.”

  I giggle, remembering that first time they went to drill weekend and found Jewls and me watching the Hallmark channel when they got home.

  “No chance, but it will be beautiful.”

  “Know it will.”

  “Love you, Ford Whitman. Take care.”

  “I also made you a promise.” He gives me a gentle look, his grey-blue eyes full of sincerity.

  There’s a buzzing followed by a ding, and all their heads go to the door. I recognize the sound and glance at the clock. “Who could be here? It’s almost midnight.”

  “Rich and I’m assuming Amanda,” Achilles answers.

  “You called my parents?”

  “Didn’t want you two alone.”

  My beautifully complicated man always thinking of me.

  A flash of headlights lights the circular drive outside, and four shadowy figures walk up the steps.

  “Oh, fuck,” he hisses under his breath, his grip turning painful.

  I understand why when Ford swings the door open, and Pete and Sandy stand with my parents.

  Pete is composed. Sandy is a full-on mess, her face swollen and splotchy, tears falling freely.

  “Mom,” Achilles is interrupted when she throws herself around him.

  “Don’t, Achilles. I am your mother and this is my right. At least, this time, I can tell you how much I love you in person.”

  “Son, those deployment calls took years off our lives. This is something she needs,” Pete interjects warmly.

  Achilles drops his face to her neck and gives her a one-armed hug back, refusing to release my hand. She’s so close, I detect the vibration of her body.

  She gathers her composure and steps back, Pete folding her to his side.

  “Can you boys tell us anything?” Dad asks boldly, but I catch the worry in his tone.

  Achilles wiggles my hand, sending the message to keep quiet. I wasn’t supposed to hear what I did earlier.

  Major slices his eyes to Jewls, sending the same message. I don’t know what happened while I was with Achilles, but Jewls must have admitted to eavesdropping, too. She bites her lip and leans her head to his shoulder.

  “We’ll be briefed soon.” Achilles’ answer is non-committal.

  “First stop?” Pete presses.

  “North Carolina. Camp Lejeune. There’s a plane waiting at the airport.”

  Pete dips his head and blows out a breath. “Praying for you, son. Praying for all of you.”

  At this, tears build and threaten to fall. I untangle my hand and urge him toward his dad. He goes and wraps both of his parents in a hug.

  The guys all get their bags, and the sullen mood hangs low around the room.

  “Take care of her, Jay,” comes from my left side, and I twist to find Major leaning in. He brushes my cheek with his lips and pins me with his eyes.

  “We’ll take care of each other,” I reply hoarsely. “Take care of my Achilles.”

  “Made the same promise.”

  “Love you, Major.”

  My heart physically aches to the point of pain as they make their way to the garage. Jewls moves in, Mom and Dad closing in behind me. Achilles stops at the door and turns. His eyes are dark and troubled. He prowls back to me, lowering his head and crashing his mouth to mine.

  It’s a closed-mouth kiss, but my knees wobble and the dam breaks. Tears roll over and pour down, covering our lips. He pulls away, giving me his most beautiful grin, and gently pushes me into my dad’s waiting arms.

  I watch him leave through tears, holding my breath and hearing the garage door go down. When the dings beep, indicating they are down the driveway, I exhale loudly and collapse. Dad gets me to the couch, and uncontrollable sobs rack my body. Jewls crawls in behind me, holding tight, her own whimpers audible.

  I find her hand and squeeze, giving us this because we need it. But after the jag is over, we have to be strong.

  She squeezes back.

  She knows.

  I have a feeling my best friend has fallen for a badass Marine-turned-cop.

  I try my best to pull her to me but fail because all I can think is that the man I love with all my soul just walked out the door into imminent danger.

  23

  Ace

  It’s time.

  The phone feels like a hundred-pound weight, pulling me down.

  Find your balls, Kingston. You’re a fucking Marine. Act like it.

  My subconscious mocks me, painting me as a coward.

  “You need me to dial it for you?” Talon comes to my side.

  “Nope. You make your call?”

  “We all did. Waiting on you.”

  “Sam and Drake have all our paperwork and know what to do?” The rhetorical question is another excuse to stall. Sam, Drake, and all the dads—except mine—know our wishes. It’s Sam and Drake that have our financials.

  “You know they do.”

  “Fuck.” My head falls, and I grip the back of my neck to release some tension. “How do I do this?”

  “This isn’t new, we’ve all been through it before.”

  “Yeah, but I called Rich.” That’s the truth.

  Before every mission, we make one last call. The guys called their parents. I called Rich. He knew the significance of those calls and always told me how proud he was and reminded me there were people that loved me at home. Each time, he’d drop in something about Harley. It was what I needed to hear. We’d hang up, and I’d go straight into the zone.

  Tonight, my call isn’t to Rich.

  “Kingston, my guess is she needs to hear your voice, too.”

  Kingston.

  The second we stepped foot off the plane and were greeted, we were no longer the cas
ual Ace, Talon, Ford, and Major.

  We were back to Kingston, Simms, Whitman, and Powers.

  “Want me to hang with you?” Talon offers.

  “Nah, I’m good.”

  He slaps me on the shoulder, and when the door shuts, I dial her number.

  “Achilles.” Harley draws out my name, setting my pulse racing.

  “Yeah, baby, it’s me.”

  “I’ve been worried.”

  “I called you when we landed in North Carolina.”

  I leave out the part that stint only lasted twenty-four hours before we were wheels up again.

  “That was four days ago! Are you okay? Is it over? Are you coming home?”

  My chest aches at her hopefulness. “We’re working things out.”

  “Have you…? Did you find…?” She doesn’t have to finish the questions for me to know what she’s asking.

  “Not yet.”

  Her breath hitches. “You’re not in Carolina anymore, are you?”

  “No.”

  “Are you in South America?”

  My silence is my answer.

  “Oh, God, Achilles.” Horror and fear bleed through her voice.

  “That right there is why I didn’t want you to hear what you heard. You already know too much.”

  “I know nothing and it’s driving me insane.”

  “How’d today go?” I gear the conversation away from my whereabouts, needing to get a read on her state of mind. “It was a big day.”

  “I was an emotional wreck. My co-workers have no idea what’s happening with me personally, so they thought it was remorse. My boss pulled me aside and repeated his counteroffer. I had to decline a-freaking-gain, which made me feel like shit. They threw me a big to-do with a cake and champagne. My parents surprised me, and it was nice to have Mom take the attention off. Dad loaded my boxes while I said my goodbyes. They followed me back here, and Mom worked with me on my cooking skills while plying me with wine. She’s convinced it will help me sleep.”

  My ears perk up at this. “You’re not sleeping?”

  “Ummm… well… it’s just… been difficult.” She trails off.

  “Jewls around this weekend?”

  “She’s coming back tomorrow night and spending the weekend. Tom offered Spazle to keep me company.”

  “Who’s Spazle?”

  “His German Shepherd. She’s a spaz, so he named her Spazle.”

  “Tom has a female German Shepherd?”

  “Why wouldn’t he?”

  “Because he’s a hard-knock ass. Good to know I can give him shit.”

  “He rescued her. But she’s full-bred German Shepherd. Sweet to those she likes and protective. He brings her to the police picnic every year, and she definitely picks her favorites.”

  Suddenly, I like the idea of Harley having a little extra protection in the house. “Take her to the house anytime. We don’t care.”

  “I’ll think about it. Right now, I’m trying to keep sane by cleaning, decorating, and working. But as of today, I’m officially unemployed.”

  “Only for three weeks.”

  “Yes, but this was a much better idea when I thought you’d be home every day. Now I’m afraid I’ve broken my promise to Ford.”

  “How’s that?”

  “His parents’ house is resembling a Hallmark movie.”

  I chuckle, thinking of the dozens of pictures she sent. “It’s beautiful, baby. We all agree.”

  “Jewls and I are stringing garland around the living room columns this weekend.”

  “Go for it.”

  “Sweetie, I know what you’re doing, and I appreciate it. But I’m okay. You don’t need to agree to everything.”

  “That’s not exactly what I’m doing. If you want Spazle to come, get her. If you want to get us a dog, go for it.”

  “Achilles! I’m not picking out a dog without you. Plus, we haven’t decided on our back yard landscaping. What if we can’t have a fenced-in yard?”

  “I’ve always wanted a dog, and we’re getting a fence. Speaking of that, carry on with the house plans. Anyone pushes back, you call Celia, Doug, Dad, Rich—whoever and set their asses straight.”

  “I can handle it.”

  “Then use this free time to get things going.”

  “Hal came to Ladies’ Night last night. He told me about your text.”

  “Sucks the way we left him hanging. Felt like I needed to explain.”

  “You didn’t have a choice. But that was considerate. He was cool, but I could tell he’s concerned about you guys.”

  “We’re all good.”

  “Are you really?” Her voice takes on a serious undertone.

  “Yeah, why wouldn’t we be?”

  “Would you tell me if you weren’t? You’re a fearless, brave, untouchable badass, but would you tell me if you were uneasy?”

  “Yes,” I lie without skipping a beat.

  “You’re lying.” She catches on. “I’ll let it slide since you’re doing heroic acts to serve our country. However, know you can talk to me.”

  “I know.”

  “And I’d like to take this opportunity to point out that accountants have little to be troubled about.”

  I laugh outright at her own change of subject. “I’ll point out that accountants also don’t participate in heroic acts to serve our country.”

  “You can work for a non-profit you feel good about.”

  “No accountant I’ve ever met nails beautiful auburn-haired, blue-eyed bombshells.”

  “You can be the exception.”

  “I changed my mind.”

  “About what, being an accountant?”

  “No, about you picking out our dog.”

  “You worried your masculinity will be shot by tooling around the neighborhood with a Chihuahua? Don’t worry, I’ll put her in my purse.”

  “You even mentioning a dog that fits in your purse shows you can’t be trusted with the breed.”

  There’s a split-second of silence before she bursts into giggles. “Oh my God! If you’re scared of a small dog, imagine how you’ll be with a baby.”

  My heart stops, and I swear, the image of Harley with our baby flashes in my head. At this moment, she can have ten fucking Chihuahuas if it makes her happy.

  “When you have my baby, he won’t fit in your purse.”

  “Not if he’s anywhere near your size!” Her cackles bring a smile to my face for the first time since we left home.

  Behind me, the door creaks, and Talon whistles, signaling it’s time.

  “Fuck if it doesn’t kill me but, baby, I need to go.”

  “Okay,” she replies sadly. “When will I hear from you again?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Texts?”

  “You send them, I’ll eventually get them.”

  Her silence stretches the thousands of miles between us, and I picture her curled in a ball, getting lost with the thoughts in her head. A muffled sniffle comes through the line.

  “Don’t cry, gorgeous.”

  “How did you know?”

  “Because I can feel it. Go back to that place you were a few seconds ago. Giggle, think about ridiculous, overpriced dogs that are puff pieces.”

  “I’ll try.”

  “Do me a favor. Are you close to the mail?”

  “I can be. I’ve stacked it on the counter.”

  “There should be something from my bank. Open it. It’s for you.”

  There’s movement and then the sound of paper ripping. “You got me a credit card?”

  “Seeing as I’m out of touch, there’s not a lot of time for shopping. Need you to be my personal shopper for Christmas gifts for our parents.”

  “Shop? You want me to shop while you’re across the world risking your life?” she questions incredulously.

  “I do what I do in order for you to do what you do.”

  “That’s the mo-mo-most selfless and selfish thing I’ve ever heard. Selfless on your part
and selfish on mine. I’d gladly never step foot in a store again if it meant you were here safe with me.”

  “I will be soon. And it would be great if you had presents under that massive tree for me to give. Plus, it will keep you busy. Spend what you want.”

  She mutters something under her breath. “I can’t believe we’re even discussing this, but okay. What about the guys?”

  “What about them?”

  “Gifts?”

  “We usually take turns picking up the tab on dinner or something.”

  “Not this year. I’ll take care of them, too. How are they? Talon’s plants are thriving.”

  “They’re fine. He’ll be pleased to hear.”

  “You need to go.”

  “Yeah.”

  “I love you, Achilles. More than anything.”

  “Same, baby. This will be over soon. I’ll touch base when I can.”

  “Be safe. Come home soon.”

  “Always.” I hesitate, then add, “Love you,” before disconnecting.

  The guys are standing around waiting for me in the office, all our gear laid out. I flick a finger to them to give me another minute while I shoot off texts to Rich and Dad.

  A series of beeps sound, and they all look at their phones, their lips curling.

  “Shit, that woman is turning the place into the Biltmore.” Ford flips his screen to the circle. Harley is standing in front of the tree, holding up a personalized stocking with his name on it.

  “She’s moved my plants.” Talon’s screen is a picture of his houseplants staged around my fireplace.

  Major’s eyes are glued to his phone, and he slowly curves it to us. It’s a picture of Harley and Jewls at their first ladies’ night. They’re in Tom’s shirts, arms around shoulders and lips puckered at the camera.

  “You called Jewls?”

  He shakes his head. “I sent her a text. She’s been busy, and I don’t want this bleeding into her life.”

  I know exactly what he means.

  “Here.” I hand over my phone to Willie and take the specialized one he hands me in return.

  “You know the drill. The drop is at twenty-one hundred.”

  “We’ll be ready.”

  Willie steps up, slapping a hand to my shoulder and applying pressure. “Take care of our men.”

  “Goes without saying.”

  “I’m gonna keep this brief. Simms has been keeping us in MARSOC entertained with tales of you finally landing your lady. Twinkle in the eyes and all that shit. I need you focused and in the zone, which has never been a problem. But it’s nice to know you now have someone waiting at home to add to that momentum.”