On the roof, two hitmen lay flat, machine guns sending a volley of bullets at their teammates below on the street. Dude glanced at Abe, and they climbed over the ledge coming up low behind the unsuspecting gunmen. In seconds, they were dead.
“Targets neutralized, over,” said Abe, speaking into the two-way clipped to the shoulder of his vest.
On the ground, the men assembled. Outlaw patted Doc on the shoulder. “Time to get the girl.” He signaled Skyscraper and Hollywood. “Let’s kick down some doors. There’s no element of surprise anymore.”
“Roger that,” he said. Turning to the men, he pointed at the motel.
Just then, the door opened and shots fired. The men pulled back to cover as the terrorists came rushing out, dragging the young woman with them, using her as a shield. For the first time since they picked up their trail, she was uncovered, face visible. Screaming, she kicked and fought but could not pull away from her captor’s grip. She looked around wildly, and seeing Skyscraper crouched low, yelled, “Help!”
The kidnappers fired, moving fast to the Audi and falling in. The last one shoved the girl into the backseat. She gripped the door, but the man brought his fist down on her hands, slapping her hard and shoving her inside.
Enraged, Doc ran from the left, firing. The man turned, aimed, and fired.
A bullet slammed into Doc and he went down hard. He lay flat on the asphalt trying to rise.
“Doc!”
He heard Outlaw’s voice at a distance. Pain seared his body and his muscles wouldn’t obey his command to get up. The engine started and the car backed up, skidding its tires on the pavement and stopping short of where Doc lay, bleeding.
“Doc! Doc!”
Wolf shouted, “You go get those sonsofbitches! We got Doc! Go, go!”
Dude raced to Doc’s side. “We got you, buddy. We got you!”
A needle slammed into Doc’s leg and the world faded.
Chapter 22
Leisl pulled into the tree-lined driveway. She’d spent the better part of the last two weeks getting to know where things were in Colver and also made her first trip to Fort Carson. It was there she met her new doctor, Randi Leonard. Dr. Leonard reviewed the file faxed to her office and after a preliminary checkup, sent Leisl to radiology for a CT scan. Everything checked out. So far, so good. Dr. Leonard said Leisl was healing well and to continue her medication until their next visit in three months.
Afterwards, Leisl drove around base and found the office where she would need to check in next month officially. Her new paperwork and duties would be assigned then. In the meantime, she familiarized herself with her new city and settled into Jason’s home.
At the cabin, she still kept her things in the red plaid bedroom, but at night, she wandered into Jason’s room where she crawled into his bed. His scent was nearly gone now and she felt she was losing her connection to him. He hadn’t called or written. No one in his family had heard from him. Tess told her not to worry and his dad, Jack, just patted her hand saying it would be okay. She liked Jason’s dad. Jack Gordon was a kindly man with a gentle disposition. He asked her a lot of questions about her time in Kuwait and invited her to visit his veterinary clinic. That was something she couldn’t yet bring herself to do. Seeing people with their pets would break her heart right now. It would make her think of Pooch and that thought was too painful. She already had a heart-load of pain worrying about Jason.
The ride up the driveway soothed her soul. The scent of the pines and aspens cleared away the blues. It was temporary. They always came back, but for now, she’d take any reprieve from the crushing sadness.
She parked the Jeep in the garage and began unloading the few groceries she’d picked up along the way. Inside, she set the bags down on the counter and unpacked her items. After putting them away, she took her water bottle and headed outside. There was a pathway that led out from the back of the house to the lake beyond. She’d found that last week. Walking along the rocky shoreline, she picked up colorful stones here and there and made a pile near a large, flat boulder, the spot where she could sit and watch the waves.
She liked this place, but where she once loved being alone, she now only felt lonely. It was all Jason’s fault. He’d made her grow used to his constant presence, and then her biggest fear came true, he left. She knew it was his job, but somehow, that didn’t make it any easier to endure. The worrying and waiting was worse than being single, worse than being alone. She swiped away tears, turning her face to the wind to dry her cheeks. The sun began its descent. Soon, it would be too dark to find her way back up the path.
Leisl jumped down off the boulder and made her way up the shore to the dirt path. As she neared the house, the sound of a car door caught her attention. She ran the rest of the way. When she came around to the front, a yellow taxi was already pulling away. She looked around and her heart stopped.
He stood in the driveway, his duffel bag at his feet, smiling. “Hey, baby.”
Her eyes roved his form and noticed the sling on his left arm. “Oh my God, Jason!” She ran to him.
He reached out with his good arm, wrapping it around her waist and pulling her in for a kiss. It was frantic, desperate, and oh so hot.
Tears streamed down her face. Coming up for air, she gasped, “What happened to you? Are you okay?”
Doc’s hand slid up her back into her hair. He cradled her head, resting his forehead on hers. “God, I’ve missed you so much. I’m fine, sweetheart. Really.”
“Jason Lee Gordon, you’re an awful liar. Why are you wearing a shoulder immobilizer if you’re fine?”
He smiled, eyes closed. “Nothing gets past you, huh?”
She looked at his arm, but with his shirt in the way, couldn’t answer the questions running through her head. “Just tell me.”
“I got shot,” he said, opening his eyes to see her reaction.
“When? Where?”
“About a week ago, and I can’t tell you that.”
“No, dummy, I mean where on your body?” She lifted the sleeve of his army-green t-shirt and saw the bandages.
He sighed. “Left chest, near the shoulder. If it’d been just an inch lower and to the left…”
Leisl wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him tight. Sobs racked her slender form.
“Hey, now. Sssh,” he whispered, rubbing her back. “It’s okay. I’m okay. It’d take more than some shit-shot terrorist to keep me away from you. Don’t cry, Leisl, please.”
“Why are you here,” she mumbled into his neck.
“What? Because,” Doc said, confused, “I missed you. I wanted to come home to my girl.”
“But you should be in the hospital. I can’t believe they let you go.” She pulled back, looking up at him.
There was a guilty look in his brown eyes. “Well, they didn’t exactly let me go. I sort of left anyway, you know, against medical advice.”
“You foolish man! If you weren’t injured, I’d punch you in your shoulder.”
Doc grinned. “I wasn’t worried, Leisl. I know this beautiful nurse who I’m pretty sure wouldn’t mind taking care of me a while.”
“I can’t believe you,” she said, immediately steering him into the house.
He leaned down to pick up is bag, but she stopped him.
“Leave it. I’ll get it. Let’s just get you inside first.” She held his good arm practically dragging him into the house. There, she made him sit in the leather easy chair and told him not to move.
Doc let her have her way and watched as she ran back outside, grabbing the duffel bag and hauling it in. He knew it was heavy. His weapons were inside, and more than she was used to picking up, but she handled it like a champ as always. The sight of her took his breath away and the fact that she’d cried for him secretly made him happy. She cared, and she’d missed him too. He could taste it in her kiss.
She came inside and without stopping, slung the bag over her shoulder and carried it upstairs straight to his room. He could’v
e easily done that. He wasn’t anywhere near as weak as she thought, but he wasn’t going to argue. He waited as she came back down the stairs approaching him with a determined look in her gorgeous green eyes.
“Up to bed with you, mister. You should be resting. I’ll make you dinner after we get you settled.”
Doc realized Leisl had checked out and Nurse Craig was on duty. He stood at her urging, suppressing a laugh. “Will there be a sponge-bath in it for me if I behave?”
“Shush. I’m too mad at you right now to deal with silly banter,” she said.
Doc blinked. “Mad? Really? After I traveled non-stop for the past twenty-four hours just to get here, to see you? Damn, woman, I’m exhausted, hungry, and in pain. I was hoping you’d be happy to see me.”
Leisl stopped at the base of the stairs. She looked at Jason and swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’m happy to see you, Jason. I am.” She wanted to say more, but the tears began to fall. She sucked in a breath and tried again. “I’ve been worried sick and you just show up, shot, and prove I was right to be worried all along. And I know you’re tired, in pain, and hungry. That’s why I’m mad. Because you should’ve healed completely first and not worried about me. I can take it. I was taking it. Now you’re here and you’re not well. That’s why I’m trying to get you upstairs into bed. So get up those stairs and don’t you dare fuss at me, Sergeant Major! Move!”
Doc’s eyebrows shot up. Her emotional explosion was fast and furious and then all the wind went out of her sails leaving her visibly shaken. He realized he’d put her through the wringer.
“I’m sorry, baby. Come on,” he said, letting her wrap his arm around her shoulders. They climbed the stairs and went into the bedroom where he sat down on his own bed for the first time in seven long months.
“Lay back,” she said. “Here,” she fluffed a pillow under his head. “How’s your shoulder? Do you need a pillow under your arm?” Leisl reached over him for another pillow, her breasts hovering above his face.
Doc groaned.
“Oh, are you in pain? Did I hurt you? I’m so sorry,” she put the pillow under his arm and looked at his face to find him grinning. “What?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. You didn’t hurt me. I’m fine.”
“What meds are you on? Where are they?”
“My duffel bag, Nurse Craig.” Doc pointed at the bag on the floor.
She went to it, unzipping the pocket. She pulled out two bottles, one for pain, another, an antibiotic. “When’s the last time you took them?”
“Had the antibiotic this morning. It’s once a day, and the pain med about six hours ago. I believe I’m due.”
“Okay, then. I’m going to make you something to eat and bring it up. You can swallow it down with food. That will be best. I’ll be right back.”
Doc lay in the quiet room, a silly smile on his face. She cared. Without a doubt, his woman cared about him. He sat up, reaching down to unlace his boots, a difficult task one-handed, but he’d been managing. He kicked them off along with his socks and lay back down. A subtle floral scent rose up from the pillow and his smile grew wider. She’d been sleeping in his bed. The thought warmed him. He wondered if she’d slept naked or worn pajamas. He hoped for naked. If she hadn’t yet, she soon would.
That is, if she got over being mad. He’d have to find the right way to make up for causing her so much worry. He hoped the present he brought back would do the trick.
Footsteps up the stairs alerted him to her return.
“It’s just a turkey sandwich and chips, but it will do.” She carried a tray with two plates, one for him, one for her. She included bottled water and a glass of orange juice and if his nose wasn’t lying, a couple of his mom’s famous chocolate chip cookies.
Doc sighed, a happy sound. “That all looks good. Thank you, babe.” He picked up the cookie first as she set the tray on the bed and climbed in next to him.
She sat on her knees, watching him. “You should save that until last. Here, take your pill.” She handed him the pill first and waited until he popped it into his mouth before handing him the glass of orange juice.
He swallowed it down, savoring the juice. “That’s so good. That sandwich looks good too.”
They ate, talking between bites, each asking questions. Leisl caught him up on his family and Doc asked about her new doctor, what she thought of Colver, and about his family. When they were finished, she took the tray downstairs.
He got up, struggling to remove the sling and then his shirt, dragging it up over his head. By the time Leisl came back upstairs, Doc was in the shower.
She didn’t bother to knock, but marched in, stopping short at the sight of him inside the glass-enclosed walk-in shower. “Just what do you think you’re doing, Jason?”
He held the bottle of shampoo in his right hand, eyeing the screw cap. “Showering? That’s if I can ever get the lid off the shampoo. Help?” he said, holding the bottle out, a mischievous smile on his lips.
What she did next, he would never forget if he lived to be one-hundred years old.
She shed her hair scarf and clothing down to the skin and stepped inside joining him under the hot spray. He dropped the shampoo.
“Leisl?” he squeaked, noticing her hair had grown out on the left side and she’d trimmed the rest a touch shorter. In all, it looked kind of punk.
“I did miss you, Jason. Now,” she said, picking up the bottle, “get under that nozzle because I’m going to scrub you from head to toe. Guess I’ll be changing your bandage afterwards too since you already got it wet.”
“Yes, ma’am!” he said, stepping beneath the spray.
As promised, she soaped him from head to toe, her fingers working like magic on his scalp, and the slippery slide of her breasts against his back causing a stiff and erotically painful reaction down below. When her hands ran over his chest, abdomen, and lower, he nearly died, but she purposely missed the one part of him now begging for her attention. She was a vindictive woman, he discovered. For every moment she’d worried, she was making him pay. Why that had him grinning like an idiot, he couldn’t say.
It was over too soon. She dried them both with a towel and found some antibiotic cream, gauze and tape in the medicine cabinet. In no time, she’d changed out his bandage, naked.
He reached out to touch her hip and she slapped his hand away.
“Let’s get this sling back on. Your arm must be hurting by now.”
“It is, but not nearly as much as my—”
“Off to bed. Let’s go.” She took his hand and led the way.
Doc followed, his eyes on her sexy bottom the whole way. He had no idea what else she was up to, but if she stayed naked, he’d take his punishment.
Leisl pulled down the covers and patted the sheet. “Up you go.”
He did as bid, a seductive smile on his lips. “You coming to bed, babe?” He laid back, stretching out.
She sucked in a breath. The man was incorrigible. She’d been intent on making him suffer, but hadn’t counted on her own suffering. The sight of him, naked, muscled, and hard made her mouth go dry, but another part of her—wet.
Doc watched her. Her eyes traveled the length of his form. Goose bumps rose on her arms, and he knew she was feeling exactly what he was feeling. Horny. “I’m sorry, Leisl,” he said. “I’m so sorry for causing you a moment’s worry. I sure as hell missed you though. So much.”
The sincerity of his words sunk in. Her heart melted and the anger she felt caused by her fear faded. He reached out, taking her hand, and sliding his fingers between hers. It was a simple affectionate gesture, but somehow, erotic.
“Do with me what you will. I’m all yours,” he said.
Biting her lip, Leisl climbed up onto the bed and straddled his hips. The contact between their most sensitive parts made both of their breaths hitch.
Doc’s hissed out between his teeth. Reaching up, he touched her breasts, massaging first one and then the other. She looked so da
mn beautiful sitting atop him and he wanted so much more, but he promised she could do whatever she wanted so he remained inert, waiting, hoping.
Leisl ran her hands over his chest, feeling the muscles contract beneath her touch. She raked her fingernails lightly down over his abs and the brown of his eyes grew molten. It was a heady feeling being in charge, being able to do whatever she wanted. The problem was, what she wanted wouldn’t wait. Raising her hips, she reached down between them and gripped his hard length. Deliberately, she guided it inside her slick opening. His thickness filled her and her head fell back.
“Oh, my god,” he whispered. “You’re the most beautiful thing in this world, Leisl. Take all of me. Take your pleasure, baby.”
She moved, sliding her hips forward, building a rhythm. Placing her hands on his ribs, she held on, thrusting as the sensations grew. She picked up his hand and placed it over her breast.
Doc knew what she wanted and he squeezed and tweaked her nipples, watching the ecstasy fill her eyes. He wanted so badly to kiss her full lips, but he stayed still, letting her ride him. Her short, panting moans were music to his ears taking him higher. He didn’t know how much longer he could hold out.
Her hips rocked harder and her breath came faster. Finally, she threw her head back, her orgasm spasming throughout her body. He felt her walls tighten around his cock and when she was finished, he gripped her hips and thrust hard once, twice, three times, shooting his load.
Leisl fell forward, kissing him. Tongues explored and breaths mingled.
“I love you.”
Her eyes flew wide. She turned her head. “Jason?”
He kissed her again. “You heard me. I love you, Leisl Craig. This isn’t sex talk, babe. I love you. I think I have from the first moment I laid eyes on you.”
The shocked look on her face was quickly replaced with a watery smile. “I love you too,” she whispered.
“You do? You’re not just saying that because you had your way with me are you?”
She giggled. “No.” She pulled back and looked at him. “No, I do love you. I didn’t think this would ever happen for me.”
Loving Leisl (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Green Beret Book 2) Page 15