Lifting her hand, she cupped his jaw. I love you, Jude Stedson.”
Moving his body over hers with his cock at her entrance, he gently kissed her lips and said, “And I love you, too.” With that, she opened her legs wide and he slipped inside. As soon as he entered her warm pussy, he stilled, eyes wide.
“Oh, God, I forgot a condom,” he confessed.
“It’s okay. I’m still on the pill,” she said. “And if neither of us has been with anyone since each other, then we’re good.”
“Thank fuck!” he exclaimed, pulling out before plunging in once more. Quickly finding his rhythm, he moved slowly at first and then with her urging, began pistoning faster. “Baby, I’m not gonna be able to last long, no matter how much self-control I have. Are you close?”
“Yes, yes,” she cried, moving her hand to her clit, tapping the swollen nub. She could feel her core tighten and as he lowered his mouth to tug on her nipple, the combination sent her flying. Screaming once more, she saw his head rear back and offer her a delectable view of his tight neck muscles as he powered through his own release. Thrusting until the last drop wrung out of him, he fell to the side, pulling her with him.
Several minutes passed, no word spoken as each slowly came down from their euphoric high. As their breathing evened out and their bodies began to cool, he snagged the blanket to cover them. They continued to lay for several more minutes, no words necessary as his arms wrapped around her and her head rested on his chest.
“Wow,” she whispered. Her head jiggled as his chuckle rumbled through his chest.
“You can say that again.”
“So…um…what exactly…I mean…where do we go from here?” she asked, unable to hide all of the doubt in her voice.
He immediately rolled over so that he was on his side as he looked down at her, his hand cupping her cheek. “I’m so sorry, baby, that I couldn’t be what you needed since my injury. I just…lost myself.”
“I know,” she smiled, “but knew you would find yourself again. That’s why I waited. Well, that and if the only part of you I could have was your friendship, then I would take whatever I could have.”
“Baby, I want it all. You, me, a life together, and no more pushing away. I promise you that.”
Her smile was her reply.
He hesitated, watching her face closely once more. “And if I decide that I need to have a career change?”
Smiling brightly, she said, “I’ll be right with you. I’ll support you in any way that I can.”
He kissed her gently once more, this time the promise of many more kisses were felt on her lips.
* * *
The next morning as the sun slipped in through the blinds, Sabrina looked around Jude’s bedroom, seeing the sparse décor. A single dresser was against the wall next to the wide-door closet and the bed. That was it. She knew he moved into this apartment when he was wheelchair bound but wondered at the lack of personality. She looked over at him as he slept. Almost like him. Not knowing who he was.
She rolled to her side with her head in her hands, watching him. A smile moved across her face as she took in the day-old stubble on his strong jaw. His sandy blond hair curled on the ends and she realized that she had no idea what it would look like when his hair grew out from the military regulation haircut he had always sported. And seeing the curls, she could not wait to run her fingers through the thickness. Before she could give in to the desire, his eyes opened, pinning her to the spot.
“Hey,” he greeted with a sleepy growl, rolling toward her as his lips instinctively found hers.
After he moved back to see her face more clearly, he noticed the crease in her brow. “Hmmm, I know what that means. Your wheels are turning,” he commented.
“I just thought since you want to consider doing investigations as a possible job, then maybe you should get Bart or his boss, Jack, involved in how we should proceed with this mess.”
“We? Babe, there is no we in this.”
“You know what Jack said. If Nastelli gets a hint you’re checking him out then he’ll leave town. I thought you all wanted to stop him from doing this to other vulnerable women.”
“I know, but maybe I can convince him that I want to use his services.”
Shaking her head, she said, “Look, Jude. I’ve been thinking about this. Nonnie has already talked to Mr. Nastelli about me and my trust. Maybe I could meet with him, convince him that I’m interested and see what that gets us.”
“Hell, no!” he shouted, sitting up in the bed. “I don’t want you near this guy!”
Arguing for several more minutes, Sabrina flopped back down on the bed in frustration. “Fine. Then talk to Jack. See what he thinks.”
Reluctantly agreeing, he called Bart later that morning, after she went to work, and within a few minutes had Jack on the line. Much to his chagrin, Jack agreed with Sabrina.
“Look, Jude. Do your research first when planning a mission. No con artist that is as good as this guy is, will ever talk to you. He’s smart and his self-preservation is at an all-time high. Tell you what, we’ll do a phone conference with you and my group when you get a little more information to see what the next course of action should be.”
Jude agreed, then called Sabrina back. “I’m going to work with Jack’s group on this and if, and only if, they think we have no other choice, then you can help.”
After getting her agreement to not act independently, he disconnected the call and leaned back on the sofa, running his hands through his hair once more. Jesus, Bart makes this sound so easy. Hell, so do Zane and Rick. If this is going to be my new career and keep Sabrina in my life…I’ve got to figure out how to make this work.
Chapter 6
“Arlene?” Jude spoke on his cell phone. “Sabrina and I were wondering if you knew anyone in Clairmont Estates? I heard of some break-ins in that neighborhood and we’re trying to think of some friends of yours that might live there?”
Sabrina rolled her eyes as his deception but had to admit he was convincing. Clairmont Estates was the gated community Cecil had disappeared into and they wondered if he had other marks he was targeting.
“Um-hm…um-hm…” he murmured as he quickly wrote on a pad of paper. “Okay, thank you,” he said. “No, no, nothing major. Sabrina and I were just trying to think of some people we knew there.”
Getting off the phone, he looked shocked. “I swear, your grandmother knows everyone around.”
“So, any good possibilities?”
“I wrote down about five names, but only one really hit home. Ruth Sewell. The woman she introduced us to at her party. Turns out she’s Governor Sewell’s widowed mother.”
“Oh, my God! I never made the connection. What should we do?”
“Let’s have Arlene invite her for tea, we’ll casually find out if she has introduced Ruth to Cecil and then I’m letting Jack know. He has previously taken on contracted work for the governor before and I want his input.”
“This is getting more complex than just a man trying to cozy up to Nonnie,” she said, worry furrowing her brow.
“I got this, babe,” he assured, leaning over to steal a kiss. “I’m working the problem.”
* * *
“Jude?” Bart confirmed as he settled back into his chair, the other Saints on the screen.
“Good to see you all,” Jude said, slightly nervous at meeting Jack’s crew. He could see four men in the camera’s view and knew several more were off camera.
Bart made the introductions and then turned it over to Jude.
“Thank you for agreeing to confer with me on this. I know Bart has informed you of what we’re looking into. I’m sure Cecil Nastelli is a con artist. It looks like he probably searches out wealthy widows and tries to fleece them out of money by pretending to be a medium who can communicate with their deceased husbands to find out what they would want the widows to do with their money or how to invest. But,” he added hesitantly, “I have no proof yet as to exactly what he
’s doing.”
“Sounds like you’re on the right track,” Jack commented, looking up from the notes he was typing. “Bart said there were others?”
“Yes. I’ve now gotten confirmation that he’s been meeting with Governor Sewell’s widowed mother. She lives in Virginia Beach and we found out she’s one of the women he’s been working with.”
“Goddamn,” Jack swore. “I’ve met Ruth Sewell before. Sweet lady. Very smart as well, but I’ve heard that in the last several years, her mind is a little less sharp. That’d make her a perfect target for someone like Nastelli.”
Jude cleared his throat before plunging forward. “Jack, I was hoping I could continue to investigate what’s going on here, but perhaps with your connection to the governor, would also be able to call upon your business’ assistance when needed. As long as I wasn’t interrupting any of your current investigations, of course,” he added quickly.
Jack looked up sharply and then over to Bart, before looking back. “Jude, you don’t have to worry about our involvement. This is dealing with Bart’s family and we take care of our own. So you have our full support and resources.” Grinning, he added, “Can I be hopeful that you’re considering coming to work for me?”
Smiling back, Jude said, “Yes, sir. I’m very much considering it. I want to complete this investigation and then will want to meet with you to discuss the possibility. I would need to turn in my resignation with the Navy as long as you and I are in agreement.”
“Coming alone?” Bart asked.
“Nope,” he answered quickly. “At least I hope not.” Sheepishly looking into the camera at Bart, he added, “Sabrina and I are together now—”
“It’s ‘bout fuckin’ time,” Bart quipped.
“But I haven’t mentioned the possibility of moving yet. It felt…too soon,” he warned.
The Saints and Jude continued planning for several more minutes. Jack assured him that he would report to the governor and that Jude was sanctioned to proceed.
Jack said, “What about Sabrina? Does she still want to try to meet with Nastelli?”
Sighing heavily, Jude nodded. “Yeah, she’s dying to do something to protect her grandmother. I just don’t want her in danger.”
“Absolutely agreed,” Jack said. “Why don’t we set up another conference with her included?”
With the next virtual meeting scheduled, Jude leaned back. A smile on his face, he felt like thumping his chest. Got the job offer I want. Got the girl. Now just gotta get the asshole trying to steal from her and her family.
* * *
“Good to see you again, Sabrina,” Jack said easily into the camera.
Nervously fidgeting with her fingers, Sabrina gave a tentative smile back. “Nice to see you also.”
Jack had his camera pan around to show the other members of his team that were present, all with smiles for her, with the exception of a scowling Bart.
When the camera landed on her cousin, he admitted, “I don’t like this, but Jack’s right about what we need to do to catch this slick-shit.”
The camera swung over to a stylish, debonair man introduced as Monty. With a nod, he began, “I’ve got undercover experience so Jack wants me to give you a rundown on what you need to think about when meeting with Nastelli. The most important thing to remember, Sabrina, is to have a very open, almost simplistic appearance. You want this guy to think you are a pushover, naïve, and very gullible. You don’t want to appear smart, savvy, or doubtful in any way.”
Nodding her understanding, she replied, “So dumb-it-down is the way to go?”
“Absolutely. And under no circumstances mention anything about your boyfriend being an ex-SEAL or an investigator.”
A blush appeared as she quickly glanced to the side at Jude.
“Right. We got that,” Jude interjected, cutting her off before she could reply. He could see her smiling at him, but did not look back over, focusing on the camera instead.
Jack came back on and added, “Luke will get into your virtual accounts—everything from your bank, employment, and even social media. He’ll make sure to create the illusion of a very impressionable young woman who will soon be receiving a lot of money from the trust. You’ll be the perfect subject for him to become interested in.”
At that, both Bart and Jude growled.
Ignoring Bart, Jack said to Jude, “You got a handle on this?”
“Yes, sir,” Jude answered back. “Won’t deny I hate using Sabrina to get information on how Nastelli works, but yeah…I’ve got a handle on it.”
“We want you to have listening devices so I’ve put in a call to Jon at GAPS. He’ll set you up with what you need for this first contact and then we’ll get whatever else is needed to you,” Jack instructed.
After a few more minutes, the video conference ended leaving Sabrina and Jude alone, staring at each other.
Sighing deeply as he moved toward her, he touched his forehead to hers. “You okay with this?”
She stared into his eyes, seeing the worry lines at the corners. Reaching up, she smoothed them with her fingers. “Yeah, I got this. I’ll go talk to Nonnie and let you know when it’s set up.”
After she left, he pulled up the website of Jack’s business. Saints Protection & Investigation. There was no office location listed, but the background picture showed the Blue Ridge Mountains and he remembered Bart talking about where he lived. He thought back to Jack’s words, describing his team of employees. Replicating a team of multi-agency task force. Jesus, that sounds good.
With a few clicks of his keyboard, he pulled up information on the Blue Ridge area of Virginia. Horse farms, green grass, and mountains in the background. Beautiful. He realized he needed to talk to Sabrina sometime soon to see what she thought about the possibility of moving. Because the thought of working for Jack Bryant’s Saints sounded better and better.
His musings were interrupted by an incoming text.
Nonnie says she can have him for tea tomorrow. OK?
He texted back an affirmative and grinned. The chance to do a little investigative work was just what he needed.
* * *
Arlene’s longtime housekeeper, Alice, set the tea service on the dark, mahogany coffee table in front of Sabrina before excusing herself, leaving Sabrina with Nonnie and Cecil.
Settled into the comfortable leather sofa with her grandmother to her right, Sabrina had the wireless listening device pinned to her dress, disguised as one of her grandmother’s brooches. The jewelry choice was old fashioned, but she hoped it would continue to give the effect of a young woman desperately wanting to please her grandmother in all things.
Sabrina poured the tea, first for her grandmother and then handing a cup to Cecil, sitting in a maroon brocade, wing-back chair. He was clothed in a silk suit. The grey pin-stripe probably costs more than my rent for several months, she noted. His black hair was styled and slicked back with gel and his hands, tipped by manicured fingernails, looked as though they had never seen manual labor.
She watched his dark, intelligent eyes as they carefully roamed around the room, assessing everything he saw. She could not determine his age. Could be forty…could be older.
Sabrina schooled her expression to be one of complete neutrality, wanting to seem no more than an eager young woman, willing to accept the advice of a medium. Plastering a smile on her face, she said, “I’m hoping you can let us know when you have more information from granddad. Especially in the area of business dealings. It’s my understanding that you can ensure his presence can be with us.”
“Oh, yes. John’s presence is very important to our dear Arlene,” Cecil said, offering her a knowing smile. “I have been consulting with John, and have several dates that I think will work for contacting him.”
Arlene leaned back in her seat and clapped her hands in glee. “Oh, I knew you could work magic, Cecil.”
“Now, now, Arlene. You know this has nothing to do with magic. I am simply a conduit for the ones
that have passed on to be able to talk to those still left here.”
His cultured voice slithered over Sabrina, causing her to shudder in revulsion. He sipped his tea, comfortable with the delicate china. Sabrina could not help but compare him to Jude and Bart; both would be afraid of holding a cup so breakable in their large paws. A grin threatened to appear, but she squelched it appropriately, focusing back on Cecil.
“Oh, yes I know,” Arlene said, bobbing her perfectly coiffed hair. She looked over at Sabrina, saying, “Isn’t it wonderful, that we can have John involved in the business again.”
Sabrina offered her grandmother a soft smile but found herself recoiling from Cecil. Once more adopting a simplistic expression, she asked, “So what do you have for us?”
“Well, I would need to talk to John some more, but it seems as though he would like to be present before Arlene makes a major financial decision.”
Eyes wide, Sabrina exclaimed, “That’s fascinating. I never knew a deceased man was able to make financial decisions!”
Chuckling, Cecil admitted, “Well, not directly, of course. But many find that after years of their spouses making financial decisions it is overwhelming to take on the task themselves. So I am able to relieve some of the burdens.”
“Do you charge for this service?” Sabrina asked, her voice belying her concern.
“You being interested is a vote of confidence. Of course there are those who do not believe, but our loved ones who have passed on still have a great deal to teach us and have a desire to continue to guide us.”
She noted he deflected her question about his fees. His smooth smile oozed over her and she wanted to immediately go home and shower. “I’m still curious about the process,” she insisted politely, taking another sip of tea and hoping she did not gag in the process.
Arlene leaned forward and placed her hand on Cecil’s arm. “My granddaughter is very smart and I cannot deny her a chance to learn from her grandfather.”
Hot SEALs: Revealing Love Page 5