by Aliyah Burke
“I’m sorry I was so callous, Stone. I had no right to either say what I did or snap at you. I just can’t seem to control my temper.” He remained silent. “I had no idea you felt like that.” Still nothing but silence. She gave a nervous chuckle. “You’re doing a great job of being as silent as your namesake.”
The man didn’t even look at her, instead continuing to stare out over the waves crashing along the shore. With another sigh, she took a deep breath. Stepping away from his warm strength, she glanced up at his face. He could be carved out of marble for all the emotion he portrayed. She opened her mouth to say something else when a male voice called her name.
“Jasira!”
Turning away from Stone and over the shoulder of her injured arm, she saw a man who worked with her brother. Lieutenant Junior Grade Kelly Henderson. Suppressing her immediate chill, she pasted a smile on her face.
“Good morning, Kelly. It’s been a while.”
The smile on his face became wider. He halted before her and out of the corner of her eye she noticed Stone had turned as well.
“Too long,” Kelly said in a tone which made her skin crawl even more and she wasn’t sure why. “Justice told us you got injured. How are you doing?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
She could hear the professional tone she used at work whether she liked the person or not. She clenched her jaw lightly when he leaned in close and kissed her cheek. His lips felt cold and scaly, reminding her of a snake. Kelly placed his gaze upon the man beside her. She took the hint.
“I’d like you to meet Stone Black Hawk. Stone, this is Lieutenant Kelly Henderson. He works with Justice.”
“Nice to meet you,” Stone said, shaking the offered hand.
“You a friend of Justice’s?” Kelly refused to move back and give her the personal space she craved. “Is that how you met Jas, here?”
“Hardly know the man,” Stone muttered.
Kelly’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Did you work with Jasira before she got injured? You’re not very regulation.”
Stone moved behind her, his warmth surrounding her and making her not only breathe easier but also realize it was Kelly who she had no desire to have in her personal space for Stone…she enjoyed. More than just a little bit.
“Nope.” Stone’s large hands settled possessively along her hips. “Jasira is my woman.”
The anger in his tone vibrated through the air. There was no mistaking his claim. More radiated from his person. She was shocked for Stone never seemed to be riled by things. All her beliefs of being offended if a man spoke about her like she was nothing but a piece of property vanished the moment they came from Stone’s mouth. She wanted to be his woman.
Kelly glanced between them before shoving his hands in his pockets and stepping back. “Nice to meet you. Catch you later, Jas.” He walked away without a look back.
Stone’s fingers dug into her flesh, holding her immobile when she made to move. His breath warmed her ear. “Any more men going to be by to try and pick you up?”
The question, while asked calmly, pulsated with strain. She relaxed back into him. “I thought you were always in control, Stone.”
“I was. He’s walking on his own volition and not bleeding.”
“You’re jealous.”
“Never doubt it, waštelakapi. Especially with men who look at you like a starving animal looks at a piece of meat.”
Closing her eyes she smiled, her anger gone. Being with Stone did that to her. “So now I’m a piece of meat?” she asked teasingly.
“Only if I can be the hungry wolf.” His response created a slew of knots in her belly.
“I think that could be arranged.”
His arms closed around her and he nipped her collarbone before kissing her cheek. “Tease.”
The ring of his cell drew his attention and she bit back her sigh of disappointment when his touch fell away. Repositioning so she could lean along the railing, Jasira roved her eyes over him. Whomever was on the other end was agitating him. There weren’t glaring differences, but she’d studied his body enough to know.
Would things really be so bad if I can’t stay in the Navy? She shifted her weight and sighed. He told me he’d give it all up for me. Could I do that for him? Would I?
Stone ran a hand through his hair and gave her a slight smile. The corners of his kissable mouth tense with strain. And yet, he had infinite patience. It wasn’t hard to envision him with a few kids hanging from him.
Kids.
Kids with Stone.
A jolt shot through her and she nearly jumped at the realization her hand rested over her womb as if protecting a new life growing in there. Unlike the first time the potential of carrying Stone’s baby entered her mind, Jasira realized it wouldn’t be such a horrible thing after all.
She glanced down to her hand and wriggled her fingers where they rested against her flat belly. How would I look pregnant?
“You’d be even more beautiful than you are now,” Stone’s silvery timbre responded.
Eyes bolting up she found him staring at her with this hunger burning in the depths of his dark gaze.
“What?”
“You asked how you’d look pregnant; I told you.” He reached out and tucked some hair behind her ear.
“I said that out loud.” A statement or question she wasn’t sure. Either way Stone nodded. Dropping her hand from her midsection, she adjusted the sling and ran her tongue over her teeth.
“You get some bad news in your call? You seemed a bit tense.”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
There was sorrowful resignation in his tone and she knew.
“Who died?” She prayed it wasn’t Red Eagle.
He dragged his finger up the white strap of her sling. “Dawn.”
Her heart clenched. She remembered Dawn, a beautiful vibrant young woman. “Stone, I’m so sorry. How’d it happen?”
Tormenting pain overflowed his gaze. “She never got over the attack. Not even with Jack’s help.”
Attack. Her brows furrowed.
“What attack?”
Deadened eyes stared at her. “Two men attacked and raped her before taking her out into the prairie and leaving her there barefoot to try and make it somewhere before she froze to death. They also got to Chaz’s little sister and eight others before we caught them.” Anger flashed. “Damn it! I thought she had recovered better.”
Shame assuaged her. She’d been so wrapped up in her own drama she’d forgotten to ask how things were going for him. And Stone, being the man he was, bore it all on his own.
“Stone, I’m so so sorry.” She stepped closer. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You had enough on your plate.”
So did you. “Do you want to talk about it?” She drew back. “Do you need to get going back home?”
“I need to go home. I have to be there for the funeral.” He glanced at her. “I’m sorry. I know I said I would go with you to DC—”
“Of course.” She waved off his explanation. “Let’s go to your hotel. I’ll get you a flight while you pack.”
* * * *
He lowered a stack of folded shirts into the old brown leather duffle he’d brought with him and watched Jasira through his lashes and lowered lids. She sat on the phone and spoke with someone on the other end to get him the earliest flight possible back to South Dakota. As she spoke she continually ran her hand through her hair.
What do I have to do to make it so you believe in my feelings for you? Why won’t you see there is more to life than your naval career?
Despite the lances of pain, she seemed deadset on inflicting into his soul, he knew she didn’t really mean to. The service was her life and she was the one faced with the life altering events. And not events which were decided upon; these were being made for her. His Jasira didn’t like to not be in control and the fact she was totally out of it in this situation was only adding more stress onto her.
I wish I co
uld be with you when you travel to DC and get the news of what your future holds. I truly do.
It wasn’t the first time since he’d met her that the need to be with her nearly outweighed the duties and responsibilities he had as sheriff. And even if she was done with her military career, what would she do if he walked up to her and asked her to come with him?
Yau kta he? Will you come?
The question had been on his lips since the moment he saw her again, not wanting to leave her behind. The writing on the back of the rose which Red Eagle had instructed him on delivering to her rang fresh in his mind. It was a phrase quoted by a chief of the Tse-lal-Watt Sioux.
May the stars carry your sadness away,
May the flowers fill your heart with beauty,
May hope forever wipe away your tears,
And above all, may silence make you strong.
He should tell her. There was obviously something much deeper going on than just the two of them. There had to be. Things were different when she was around. They were better. And that was a feeling he longed to keep for the rest of his life. No matter how much he wish to translate it for her, he knew Red Eagle wouldn’t want him to.
His gaze travelled back to rest upon her where she sat on the edge of the chair, her ankles crossed beneath her. The whiteness of the sling strap sliced the dark hue of her skin. The receiver of the phone wedged in between her ear and neck, and she had a pen in her good hand which tapped out a cadence while she spoke to the person on the other end of the line. The soft velvety timbre of her voice caressed over his skin and he had to struggle not to drop everything in his hand and run to her side, touch, and kiss her until neither of them knew where one ended and the other began.
Slowly her gaze met his and he could see the sad compassion for him in the intense depths of hers. His heart clenched when she blinked once, lowering those thick curved lashes before hiding her eyes briefly from his. Shoving the remainder of his clothing in the bag, he then zipped it shut and headed toward her. At her side, he looked down at the pad she pointed to.
Brushing his lips along her cheek, he pointed to the flight which he would prefer to have out of the three options she’d managed to finagle for him. By the time Jasira was off the phone, he’d called back home and had arranged for his sister to pick him up. The click of the phone had him turning back to Jasira.
She’d regained her feet and stood by the door, her eyes uncertain yet focused on him. He took a deep breath and moved toward her, not stopping until her shapely and well-proportioned—very well-proportioned—body had been trapped between him and the door. The palms of his hands braced alongside her head and his lower half pressed intimately against her.
“Your flight leaves really soon; you should get going if you’re going to make it.” Her voice was hushed and she dropped her gaze to the floor.
“Look at me, waštelakapi,” he ordered. Silent she did as he’d bade her to. Simmering in her gaze was uncertainty, sorrow, and loss. “I’m sorry I have to leave you.”
“Don’t apologize for doing for your tribe, Stone. There’s not any need. I know that if you could be here with me you would do so. That, to me, means more than you could possibly know. So for that, I thank you.”
Her eyes shimmered with the sheen of unshed tears and it tore at his gut and soul. How can I leave you?
She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue and attempted a smile. He knew it was forced and not at all what she wished to do, but still she tried. It was wobbly but there, and the gesture on her part made him fall even deeper in love.
“You—”
“You need to get going,” she broke in. “Gotta make your flight.”
He wanted to argue but she was right. It would be close anyway. With a sigh, he stepped away and returned to his bag. She’d already vanished through the door by the time he turned back to where she had been.
Hefting his luggage, he hurried out after her. She stood by his vehicle, resting her back along the tail end of the SUV. Unlocking it, he tossed in his bags and closed the hatch. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans and stared down at the woman who he knew owned his soul.
Jasira Breeze Graham.
“Tell your mom it was an honor to meet her and I’m really sorry I couldn’t stop back by before I had to leave.”
She nodded silently before stepping close and sliding her good arm around his waist. Jasira rested her cheek against his chest. “I’ll make sure to tell her.” She shifted, her body pressing closer and closer along the length of his. “Come on, Stone,” she whispered. “Kiss me already and get going.”
“Jasira.”
Her head tipped back and he found himself drowning in her amazing eyes. “Kiss me.”
How could he refuse?
Lowering his head, he dragged his tongue along the outsides of her lips, then trailed it across the seam before delving into her warm mouth. Her addicting and immediately intoxicating taste swamped him. He maneuvered his hands to her hips and held her close. Her whimper preceded the stroke of her tongue against his. Everything about her made him want to head off to a private locale and have his way with her.
With a low muted groan, he withdrew from her haven and stared down into her eyes. They swirled with barely contained passion.
“Stone,” she murmured.
“Jasira,” he spoke, his tone a matching decibel to hers.
“Let me know if there is anything I can do for anyone.”
“Take care of yourself.”
He longed to stay and pursue their relationship. Convince her just how serious he was about giving it all up for her if that would allow them to be together.
He watched her swallow and nod. “You too, Stone. You too.”
“Good bye, waštelakapi.” With a final brief kiss, he moved to the driver’s side and climbed in.
She was by the window when he lowered it. His heart was heavy as he reached out and stroked his knuckles down her cheek.
“What does that mean, Stone? That word you keep calling me?”
Engine running, he put the vehicle into reverse and looked at her one final time. “Beloved. Waštelakapi means ‘beloved.’”
Careful of where she stood her, he backed out and drove away, watching her stand there in the rearview mirror until her image was no longer visible. He fidgeted while waiting for the plane, fidgeted while being checked by security. They waved him through quickly since he did have a badge, but being as the ticket was last minute, he did get searched. Once he had taken his seat, his mind drifted to his destination and he began to doubt his ability to protect people. His people.
His mood was sour when he disembarked, but still he smiled when his sister met him at baggage claim.
“Stone,” she said softly.
“Tegeen.” He gathered her close for a swift hug. “I’m so sorry, sweetie, I know how close you and Dawn were.”
Her body trembled slightly but she didn’t cry. She handed him the keys and once his bags had slipped down onto the conveyor belt, he grabbed them and they headed off. As they were leaving Rapid City, he stole a side glance at his baby sister. Her eyes looked like they should be on a raccoon.
“Get some sleep, Tegeen. You look like you could use it.”
“What about you? You seem tired too. Don’t you need me to help keep you awake?”
“I’m good. Rest now.”
It didn’t take long and the interior of his truck was filled with her soft snores. When he pulled into the drive, he identified his brother’s SUV as well as the one belonging to his parents. He should have known they would all come to his place. After their reunion was over, he stood at the top of the stairs and watched his family interact. It was almost perfect, if not for one missing thing—Jasira. His sister looked up at him and he saw compassion and understanding in her gaze. She knew he missed Jasira. Forcing a short smile, he headed to the bathroom and took a shower. He needed a break before they began getting ready for the funeral.
Jack
had arrived along with some others by the time he’d dried off and dressed. His deputy was an emotional wreck. The house fell silent well after midnight and Stone held his cell phone close and debated on calling Jasira, just to hear her voice. Realizing the time, he placed the phone down and got ready for bed.
Tomorrow was going to be a busy day and he needed to get some rest. The next morning he was out in the barn bright and early while his mother made breakfast. Filling the last grain bucket, he rubbed Snips’ nose and turned to head back in. Just before he made it to the bottom step the phone at his side began to chime. Brushing one hand off on his pants, he pulled it out and answered it.
“Sheriff Black Hawk.”
Chapter Twelve
Jasira hung up her phone and frowned. She was still unable to get in touch with Stone since the brief call he’d given her when he’d touchdown in South Dakota. She craved to hear his voice. She felt almost desperate to hear the smooth strands of his argent timbre which could and did bring her a sense of serenity.
She shifted in her seat, dressed in her blue digi cammies, and waited to be called back from the waiting room to speak to her doctor. They’d taken more films of her arm and wrist and now she waited to get the results. Her nerves were wound tighter than a cable holding up a suspension bridge. Beyond that white door lay the man who held her future in his hands. Doctor Samind.
Each time a nurse came into view, breathing became strained and labored. She flexed the fingers of her left hand the best she could and dug down deep to unearth the calm exterior serving in the Navy had helped her discover. In some deep dark corner of her mind she found it.
Stone.
She couldn’t help but imagine how much easier this would be if he were with her. At her side.
But he’s not. And we’re alone. Whether we like it or not. And she didn’t like it. As far as pep talks went that one blew chunks. She rubbed her right hand over her eyes, but jumped when her name was called.
“Follow me, Petty Officer,” the nurse commanded in an authoritative tone after they left the waiting room and entered a sterile scented hallway.
There was no reason to speak. They made two turns before she was directed back into a room she’d not been in been in before. Behind the desk sat her doctor who had begun to stand at her entrance. Doctor Samind had gray hair and a likeable personality. He’d been a physician for well over thirty years.