9 Ways to Fall in Love

by Caroline Clemmons

  “I’ll check him out. Don’t worry.”

  “I can’t understand why Chavez wants A.J. He’s in pretty bad shape. He took a bullet to the side, but it’s been patched up, and I’ve given him medicine to keep an infection away.”

  “So he’s okay?”

  Brody ran his fingers through his hair before delivering the bad news. “Not okay, but alive.” Brody lifted a hand, exasperated. “He’s still pretty weak. We were ambushed yesterday. They could have killed us all.”

  “That’s odd unless they have something in store for A.J. Maybe he’s part of something we don’t know about.”

  “I’m beginning to think the same thing. But how do I find out?”

  “I have an idea. We’ll call you back,” Frank said.

  “Is Jake coming?”

  “He’ll be there. You just hang on to A.J.”

  “Good, maybe they can both go home. I want to help the villagers, but I want Kate and A.J. back in the States.”

  Frank cleared his throat. “Brody, I don’t think that’s going to happen right away. Something is in the wind. Nobody moves until I get to the bottom of this. I will send Jake on a quick supply run. But until I get a scenario set in my head, you stay put.”

  “I’m okay with that, Frank. But I do need supplies as fast as I can get them. Also we need ammo and explosives. Food would be good.”

  “I’ll get Cooper on that right away.”

  Brody disconnected his phone and looked down into Kate’s beautiful blue eyes. Surrounded by all this mess, they’d spent so much time fighting they’d had little time for each other. As insane as it sounded, Brody wanted to kiss her mouth more than he craved a cheeseburger.

  Unable to resist her lure, he threaded his fingers in hers, and they walked across the dirt road to the small tack shed where he’d hidden her when they first came to Mexico.

  Kate stopped. “Where are we going?”

  Brody grinned. “To heaven.”

  She gave him a feisty grin. “I’m game.”

  After opening the door, he looked inside the deserted shack. Only a long wooden table scattered with straps of leather, stirrups, bridles, and a saddle took up residency in the room. The fresh scents of hay and oiled leather filed the shed.

  They no sooner closed the door than he had her against the wall, his mouth on hers. Gentle enough to be sure he didn’t hurt her, but firm enough to let her know what he wanted. Shoving his fingers through her blond hair, he cupped the back of her head and pulled her against his body.

  He captured the faint scent of honeysuckle and female essence. Her long lashes fluttered close as she leaned into him. When she put her arms around his neck, Brody’s knees nearly buckled. She tasted of coffee, summer nights, and exotic sex.

  His pulse thudded and his breath struggled to stay normal and provide enough oxygen to his head. Her full breasts pushed against his chest and he wanted to cup one so badly that he found himself trying to undress her before the message left his brain.

  Her warm breasts, firm and heavy, fit perfectly into his palms. She moaned and Brody shuddered.

  Kate was not a woman who engaged in sex lightly. There were always consequences and trouble if one wasn’t careful and she wasn’t a careless woman. But with Brody it felt so right to be nestled in his embrace and her body against his warm, muscular chest.

  She longed to run her fingers over his bare torso. While he unbuttoned her top, she got busy on his. Their lips never parted. Never breaking their kiss, they managed to strip each other, parting only long enough for her to rid him of his T-shirt.

  Tossing the damp garment to the side, she recaptured his mouth. Unable to resist, Kate scraped her nails across his shoulder, over his pebbled nipples, down to unbutton his pants

  Brody drew in a sharp gasp.

  Her tongue swept inside his velvet mouth and his met hers with staggering eagerness. His powerful body felt familiar in a strange way that confused and delighted her. Her sensitive breasts ached for his touch, and when he squeezed her nipple, Kate’s breath caught in her chest, and she leaned into him.

  His thumb stroked the sensitive skin on her neck and his mouth slanted to explore and drive her wild. The man knew now to kiss, tease and delight. She thought she’d explode with wanton need. Never had she experienced such passion or been so hungry for a man.

  Their wet mouths, his eyes dark and smoky with desire, and their closeness were her undoing. “You are more dangerous than Chavez. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything,”

  “Me too,” he whispered.

  Brody slid her pants down then raked off the table. As he spread out the T-shirt, his eyes glanced at the blond nest of hair shielding her womanhood. In one swift move he sat her on the table. He stood between her legs and captured her lips again for a long, slow kiss filled with the promise of excitement and pleasure.

  He dropped his pants as she put her hands on his bare bottom to pull him closer. He took out another foil package and waved it in the air with a wicked grin. “Last one.”

  A gasp caught in her throat as his huge penis entered and pushed home. She clung to his broad shoulders and wrapped her legs around his waist.

  Lips together, Brody slowly moved in and out. Kate thought this couldn’t get better, but she was wrong. He put his hand between them and gently massaged her sensitive nub between his finger and thumb. The rhythmic and subtle stroking sent wave after wave of heat soaring through her body until every muscle tightened and Kate’s head tipped back as she climaxed, soaring toward the unknown.

  She’d never felt this way, this pleasured and this whole, but Brody wasn’t finished. He pulsed deeper inside her, and Kate came up off the table when Brody’s hands lifted her closer and tighter.

  He pumped frantically as he fought for his own release. Kate felt the storm of emotion building inside her, and just as he peaked, Kate followed him over the edge.

  Moments later, when their breathing returned to normal, Brody continued to hold her against his chest, afraid to release her. Kate rested her forehead against his shoulder and realized for the first time in her life that things could be normal.

  With his hand caressing her hair, Brody said, “I think we should get dressed before someone comes looking for us.”

  “I agree,” Kate said. She felt horrified that a smile of satisfaction spread across her entire face. But she’d just experienced something she hadn’t expected or hoped for in a very long time. While she knew Brody and her having sex didn’t imply anything close to forever, she’d always be grateful for this moment, this time.

  ***

  That evening, with Kate against his side, Brody decided when they got back to Texas he was going to buy a gallon of honeysuckle soap and bath Kate in it for hours. Earlier in the tack room, Brody had never before felt so close to anyone.

  Yes, he’d had sex with plenty of women, but he’d never made love. After being with Kate nothing would ever be the same again.

  Lying beneath the starry sky, Brody gently stroked her hair, wondering how they’d ever get out of this mess. But, there was something strong and powerful between Kate and him. Days from now, he’d have to sort this out in his mind and heart. Because he wasn’t about to let Kate out of his life. He wanted her, and his feelings went beyond sex.

  Brody grew tired, his eyelids heavy just before he closed his eyes the sound of footsteps crunching on the ground brought him fully awake. Seconds later the sound of a gun being cocked echoed through the dark night, and hard steel touched his temple.

  “Good evening, my friend,” Carlos said. “Chavez has sent me to kill you and take the woman back to him.”

  They were alone, away from the other homes where someone else might hear the threat.

  “That might be a little hard, my friend.”

  “Oh, I do not think so. You are far from the rest of the camp. No one will know I have been here until she is back at La Hacienda where Chavez can do anything he wants with her and you won’t be there to save
her.”

  Brody rolled over, keeping his hands in sight. Carlos squatted next to them. Kate shivered against his side. “Why would you do this, Carlos? We’re trying to make it better for all the nearby villages. Doesn’t your family mean anything to you?”

  “My family is not near here. But, they do enjoy all the money I send them.”

  If no one was going to hear Carlos kill him then that meant he had a gun with a silencer. And right now, it was pointed right between Brody’s eyes. He’d never thought a man the size of Carlos could be so light on his feet.

  Just as Carlos rose, the sound of a gunshot plowed through the night air. Kate sat up, and Brody forced his eyes open. A.J. stood over Carlos’s dead body, leaning on a makeshift crutch, with a smoking gun in his hand.

  “Brody,” he said. “I’m getting damn tired of saving your ass all the time.”

  Brody threw the light blanket aside and helped A.J. back to his cot. He hoped Jake would show up any minute to get A.J. and Kate out of there, but he still planned to stay. There was no way he could abandon the villagers after he’d encouraged them to make a stand.

  After the sound of the gunshot, all the villagers spilled from their homes. He told A.J. and Kate to get some rest while he checked the perimeter of the village. Tomorrow Chavez would probably throw everything he had at them.

  Instead of sleeping, Kate rose and loaded every gun she could get her hands on while Brody and several villagers dug a small ditch that lead closer to La Hacienda.

  Manuel and another man dragged Carlos’s body to the outer perimeter of the village and tossed it into a shallow grave. The padre came out and said a prayer over the mound of dirt.

  Jake flew in less than half an hour after A.J. killed Carlos. The approach of the plane was a welcome sound to Kate’s ears. When Jake jumped out of the Cessna, he, Brody, and A.J. embraced and put their heads together in discussion.

  Kate decided to stay where she was because it wouldn’t surprise her if the three of them didn’t physically try to force her into the plane. She wanted to be at Brody’s side and have this whole Oscar thing put to rest.

  She lowered her head when Brody stalked her way. She could read his mind as easily as a book. “Kate, we’re going to unload the plane and I want you to go back home.”

  She glanced at his handsome face and the obstinate strand of blondish streaked hair on his forehead. His hazel eyes were serious and demanding. But she wasn’t going to cave. “I’m here until I can walk away and into a normal life where I’m not looking over my shoulder.”

  “I’ll see that happens, Kate. I promise.”

  “I know you want to Brody, but I need to end this myself. It all started here, and I have to end it here.”

  “You could die.”

  “That’s a chance I’m willing to take.”

  “I’m not.”

  “I’m staying, Brody. And if you make me leave, I’ll charter my own plane and come right back.”

  His green eyes darkened, and his hands balled into fists. “You’re serious?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, Jake’s coming back soon. Let’s hope by then it’s all over.”

  “Is A.J. going back?”

  Brody shook his head. “No, I’m stuck with the two most stubborn people in the world.” He turned and stalked away.

  ***

  Angel Diaz powered up his laptop and went to work finding out about Monique Sutherland. Who she was and where she came from. Mostly he wanted to know why she wanted the CIA agent killed. That intrigued him in a most unusual way.

  Besides, he didn’t trust whores, even those with a select clientele. A person who’d sell her body would sell anything. He knew that to be the case because his own mother was a prostitute who’d pimped out her son from the time he was eight years old.

  Diaz had to be careful. Killing Kate Stone wasn’t as simple as Monique thought. Before this all started, no one had considered Oscar’s feelings for the woman. Diaz had been sure after the Falcon raid that Chavez would find Stone and kill her himself.

  Diaz and El Toro had everything figured out. All along they’d planned for Falcon to hit Chavez and in the process capture an agent they could use for their purpose. No one expected the damage Falcon Securities would do to the organization and their money supply.

  Ships all over were seized, drug supply lines severed, and millions of dollars tied up with the American government. That had not been part of the plan. Unsatisfied that he couldn’t find anything about Monique, Diaz turned on his cell phone and called a friend. He waited for Jester to pick up the phone.

  “What?” came a gruff voice.

  “Monique Sutherland.”

  The phone went dead.

  Diaz disconnected and stood as Oscar came into his bedroom. “Let’s go into town. I want to get laid.”

  Diaz smiled and discreetly closed his laptop. This was the Oscar he loved. The one so easy to manipulate. “Sure. I thought you would never ask.”

  He wrapped his arm around Oscar and led him toward the living room. Oscar went willingly. Almost too easily.

  As they entered the kitchen Diaz took out a gram of cocaine and lined it on the kitchen counter. Oscar had a bill already rolled. Diaz waved his arm. “You first, my friend.”

  Chavez snorted two lines, raised his head, and shook his whole body. The cocaine had already hit his blood stream, and he was light as the stars.

  Diaz took his turn and afterwards they went to the vehicle that would drive them into town. “Feel better, Oscar?”

  “Fuck, I feel so good.”

  “Good and horny?”

  “Oh yeah, I want some pussy tonight.”

  At last, Oscar had something on his mind besides Kate Stone

  Chapter 15

  Over the loud music in the popular bar, Angel Diaz heard his cellphone ring and then immediately searched for Oscar before looking at the screen. Removing it from the front pocket of his dress pants, he noticed the caller ID and cringed.

  In the middle of the lighted dance floor Oscar openly fondled a young girl barely out of her teens. Before Oscar could spot him, Angel slipped into the men’s room. “What are you doing? I don’t want you calling me.”

  “You sound out of breath, Angel,” Monique Sutherland’s sultry voice carried through the connection. Angel knew it was late in D.C.. Well past the hour for anyone to be calling him with anything legitimate. At this late hour, Angel was reluctant to talk, except in person.

  “I want to make sure everything is going as we discussed.”

  “If you are asking me if Kate Stone is dead then, the answer is no.” Why was this bitch so hot and bothered about Kate Stone? Obviously the idea of murdering the CIA agent kept Monique up late at night.

  Her breathing grew harsh, and she said in a strangled voice, “Why not? I told you what I wanted all along.”

  He chuckled. Women were so stupid. Here they were preparing to change the world, and she worried about one fucking bitch. “That was your plan, Monique.”

  Footsteps sounded from the other side of the door. Diaz held the phone against his chest and listened to make sure no one could over hear him.

  The room smelled of disinfectant and cheap floral air spray. Toilet paper cluttered the floor, and the sink hadn’t been scrubbed in months. So much for this being a high-class joint. They had paid a hundred dollars each to get in the fucking door of this dive.

  “If Kate Stone stays, that could blow up in our faces.”

  “No, that’s the part that would expose you.”

  “I paid good money to get that bitch killed.”

  He heard the ugliness in her voice. The fear, the worry. “I will see to it. Right now, the Falcon agent, Roddio, has been rescued by the other one-the one we set up to bring Stone to us.”

  “Jesus Christ, what happened? How can just one man do that?”

  Angel shrugged and said, “I don’t know. But I think Chavez has feelings for the woman. He may intervene.”

&
nbsp; “Then kill him, and you run his empire. You would be a very rich man.”

  “If that had been my goal all along, why would I kill the woman for you? I’m going to be rich anyway.”

  “Be careful, Angel. One phone call from me and Chavez will cut your throat.”

  “Fuck you, bitch. You’re throat isn’t safe either.”

  Dallas, TX

  Frank picked up the phone and speed dialed the Director of the CIA. “I called to ask if you know one of your agents has gone missing.”

  “Hello, Frank. No I didn’t know that. Who are we talking about?”

  “My guy Brody Hawke kidnapped Kate Stone.”

  “Why in the hell would Brody do that?”

  Frank raked his fingers through his hair. “I’m trying to figure that out. So far, we know he was fed some bad information and acted on it.”

  “Stone is one of my better agents. She got set up pretty good in Iraq, if you remember.”

  “I do remember going in after her and her team. I’m only sorry we had to leave two behind. But you and I found out those men weren’t left behind. They were just going back home.”

  “I never figured Howard or Grimes for being a part of that trouble over there. I heard they got the raw end of the deal with Youssef el Jibar.”

  “They were both traitors.”

  “We can’t prove that.”

  “I didn’t call you about Iraq. I called about Brody and your agent. But I need to know you’re behind me if this gets too big to handle.”

  “I’m behind you 100 percent. I’m the man you were partners with for twenty years. I haven’t changed.”

  “I never thought you had.” Frank paused and blew out a tired breath. “Vince, I need to know what’s coming down the pike.”

  A reluctant silence had him wondering if he’d asked too much from an old friend. “The next big thing?” Vince finally asked.