“No, Orlando. It was when he broke into my apartment in the middle of the night because I didn’t return his messages and calls, and he held his Glock to my throat and threatened to blow my head off. That’s why.”
She stood up, only for Cash to make her sit back down then press between her thighs as she sat on the edge of the bed.
He cupped her cheeks and held her gaze.
“That must have been pretty damn scary, Cassidy. No one can minimize that. None of us are. It just makes us more determined to help you get through this. To help keep you safe from this asshole. We can help you, Cassidy. Our team, our family and friends in Tranquility, are more special than you could ever imagine. Please trust us, baby. We care about you. You complete us, Cassidy. Please let us try.”
She saw the sincerity in his eyes, the determination and power he emitted from his body. She glanced at the others, who stood there focused, angry, supportive, and she’d never felt safer in her life. She wanted to believe them. She wanted to give this a chance, but she still feared that they could get hurt.
“We’ll take precautions. We’ll notify our friends to be on guard. We can do this and protect you because you’re our woman now. It’s our priority.”
Cassidy was overwhelmed with emotion as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
“I don’t want any of you to get hurt. I couldn’t live with that.”
Cash kissed her lips then caressed her tears away.
“Not going to happen, Cassidy. No one fucks with this team and gets away with it.”
She hugged him tight and relished the feeling of being in his arms. She hoped that they were right. That they knew a way to deal with this and help her. She didn’t want to leave them. She didn’t want to hide forever. She loved them already. She just couldn’t tell them yet. Not with Blaze out there possibly hunting her down.
* * * *
Cash walked outside to the front porch after he called his dad. Red was at Casper’s right now, and Cash explained what was going on. He told his dad about them caring for Cassidy and that she’d confided in them about some guy possibly hunting her down. His dad had the lowdown and mentioned that Gunner was there and a conversation he had with him.
It seemed Cassidy had made instant friends with Gia and Deanna. Both women had told their men they felt concerned for Cassidy and that she might be in trouble. It was Cash and his team’s job to ensure her safety now that they saw her as part of them.
“You, Stryker, and the team are staking an official claim to her?” his father asked him.
Cash glanced over his shoulder to ensure that Cassidy wasn’t within earshot.
“I don’t think Cass would like that term too much. So let’s just say we want her as our woman. If she accepts us, then that’s it.”
“Awesome,” his dad exclaimed, and Cash was surprised.
“I guess you’re not mad at us for moving in on your old friend from the Corps?” he teased.
“No way, son. I was hoping that Cass would find some happiness in her life. She’s had it rough. Even before that asshole Blaze started harassing her.”
Blaze? The dick’s name is Blaze.
“How so?” he asked.
“She lost her parents when she was just a kid. Moved in with an aunt she didn’t even know and didn’t really take care of her in Alabama. She joined the Corps to get three square meals and perhaps get an education so she could get a job and support herself. It turned into a lot more for her. She was considered one of the best ER nurses in the field. She also can shoot like you wouldn’t believe. Real impressive, both close range and distance.”
“Really? I wanted to ask you about those scars. The bullet wounds and how she got them.”
“Well, son, that’s not really my story to tell. That’s Cass’s.”
“Yeah, well, she isn’t budging. Mentioned something about not wanting to remember it or think back to that time.”
“Well, just so you, Stryker, and the others know, she saved many lives that day. She wasn’t supposed to be there on the chopper with the medic team and Dr. Reynolds. There were other men, and when we were forced to land to extricate wounded in the middle of a battle zone, things turned ugly fast.”
“You were there with her?”
“Yes I was. I knew her for over a year. Saw her in action in the ER with one of my own troops. Heard great things about her and how she would take the extra time to visit the wounded she helped days and weeks later. She was well respected. Still is.”
His father went on to explain about the mission and what had gone wrong. Cash couldn’t believe how she’d sprung into action, taken out numerous enemy soldiers, and saved troops plus his dad.
“She received numerous medals and commendations, son. Hell, I’d take her as one of my team any time without a second thought. She’s really special,” Red told him, and Cash thought so too.
“Wait until I tell the others. Wait until I explain to Stryker.”
“Stryker is part of this new relationship with Cassidy too?” his dad asked, sounding shocked.
Cash went on to tell him about the confrontation and about how they’d instantly hit it off and shared a connection.
“Well, they both have scars to show for it. When he does know how strong and determined of a Marine Cass is, he should accept her even more in his life.”
“This guy, Blaze you said his name was. He really scared her. I think that’s the most difficult part for Cass to handle and accept.”
“It sounds like you’re slowly breaking that wall down and gaining her trust. Just take this seriously, son. I don’t want her getting hurt. Not by that asshole who’s after her or by you and your team. You understand me?”
He smiled even though his dad couldn’t see him over the phone.
“Yes, sir.”
“When you think she’s ready, we’ll call for a little meeting at Casper’s.”
“Will do, sir. We’ll talk later.”
* * * *
Cassidy was worried about Stryker when he didn’t join them for lunch. Cash was outside on the phone, and Coast was returning some calls he missed.
She excused herself and went to search for Stryker’s room.
She knocked on the door but didn’t hear a sound. Slowly, she opened it and found him sleeping on the bed. His face was scrunched up as if he were in pain even in his sleep. She tiptoed closer and watched him. He was so attractive. He wore no shirt, and his muscular chest made her mouth water. With her eyes, she followed a pathway down his chest to the dusting of hair that led beneath the waist of his shorts. That’s when she noticed his cock had sprung to attention, tenting them out.
Someone was playing possum.
She moved closer and pretended to reach for the blanket at the bottom of the bed as if preparing to cover him. In a flash, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her up and on top of him so she was forced to straddle his waist.
“Hasn’t anyone ever warned you about sneaking up on a soldier?” he asked.
“I knew you were awake,” she told him as she eased off of him and slid to his side. He kept her against his chest as he ran his palm along her thigh and under her skirt.
“How did you know?” he asked.
She licked her lower lip and then slid her palm down his chest and under the waistband of his shorts. She caressed his cock. “Because of this.”
He chuckled. “You’d be some secret weapon, baby, with a body like yours.” He brought her closer and kissed her deeply.
She straddled his leg and eased up closer to him. His hands explored her ass, and then she felt his fingers try to press up into her pussy. She eased herself higher so he could reach, and he chuckled as he released her lips.
“You feel it too, Cassidy, don’t you?” he whispered.
She held his gaze and then the intensity of his stare. He smelled so good, like soap and cologne and everything a man should smell like.
“I do, Stryker. I missed you,” she said to him.
He squi
nted at her. “Missed me? Why? The others are still out there, aren’t they?”
She was surprised that he would say such a thing. Did he think his role in this relationship wasn’t as important as the others?
She knew she needed to tread carefully here. There was so much to work on and work out.
“I love the way you make me feel. I love how safe and secure it feels in your arms.”
“In my arms?” he questioned, and she snuggled closer and hugged him with her face against his chest and neck.
“Yes, I could stay in this dark room with you and cuddle for hours. Nothing could hurt me in here with you.” She then turned to the side and kissed his skin.
In one smooth motion, he turned and was halfway over her.
“I need you, Cass. When I’m inside you, nothing hurts. Everything is perfect.”
She held his gaze and took in the emotion and depth of his dark eyes as he spoke to her.
“Do you think I’m weak for admitting that?” he asked her.
She shook her head. “We can’t always be so strong and handle things on our own. It’s not easy to accept the help, but it makes a difference.”
He held her cheek in the palm of his hand.
“Will you let us help you, Cass?”
She held his gaze. “I already told Cash and the others about why I left Houston. I don’t want to talk about it right now, Stryker. I just want to be with you, get to know you and explore these feelings we have.”
He gave a small smirk, not quite a smile. “Yes, ma’am.”
She chuckled as he rolled her to her back the rest of the way and spread her thighs.
“I think you’re wearing way too many clothes.”
She helped him discard her clothing, and they were both out of breath.
He held himself above her, his cock inches from her pussy and ready to penetrate.
“I don’t know how long I’ll last before my legs give out. They’re weak, Cassidy. I have a lot of work to do to strengthen them,” he confessed and seemed embarrassed by having to tell her that.
She cupped his cheeks. “We’re making love together. What does it matter who’s on top and who’s on the bottom?”
“It matters to me. I want to be a complete man for you.”
She smiled. “Make love to me, Stryker. Let go with me, and I’ll let go with you, and we’ll see where we wind up.”
He tilted back then pressed his cock forward, thrusting into her channel. Cassidy widened her thighs and counter-thrust upward as Stryker began to set a steady pace.
“More, Stryker. You feel so good. You drive me wild,” she told him as he thrust deeper, causing the bed to rock and bang against the wall. His face scrunched up, and she knew he was having difficulty.
She pinched his nipple.
“Fuck, Cassidy!” he roared and then he pinched her nipple back, and she gasped.
She pinched his nipple again, and he growled as he stroked into her pussy harder and faster. She felt her body tighten up. She was going to come and so was Stryker. Then he gripped her wrists and hands and pressed them above her head, causing her breasts to push forward and her legs to spread wide. She was at his complete mercy.
“Stryker, oh God, Stryker, yes, yes, more,” she cried out, and he thrust balls deep as she gasped and came, and he followed suit, calling out her name.
He fell against her and rolled her to his side. His cock slid from her pussy, and they both moaned. He caressed the hair from her cheeks and held her gaze.
“Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you when I grabbed your wrists?”
She raised her eyebrows up at him. “Stryker, are you kidding me? You got me so fired up I was screaming your name and came like a broken faucet.”
He chuckled, and it was the best sound she’d ever heard. He covered her mouth and kissed her deeply.
“I’m going to have to rest again for a while,” he said after he released her lips.
She snuggled up against his side, and he slid his hand along her thigh and ass as he pulled her leg up and against his side.
“I’m not going anywhere. Too comfortable in your arms,” she said and closed her eyes.
He relaxed and held her there, where they drifted off to sleep and relished the feelings they’d shared making love and binding their hearts together forever.
Chapter 10
Lynn was heading out of work with her friend Monroe. They walked through the parking garage, and it was late. It had been a hectic day in the office.
“So we’ll meet up with you, Chris, and Jim around eight o’clock tonight, right?” Monroe asked her.
“Yes. I’m looking forward to hanging out. This last week was hell,” she said, and Monroe chuckled.
“It’s busy season for the construction business. It will get worse come July, believe me.”
“Wonderful,” Lynn said then waved goodbye and headed farther into the parking garage to her car.
She hit the unlock button and opened the back door first to put her bags in.
She heard the horn honk and Monroe go by. She waved then went to close the door.
She got into the car, started it up, and headed out into the night. It would take her fifteen minutes to get to her apartment, wash up, change, and be ready for Chris and Jim to come get her.
As she traveled down the quiet road, she heard a diesel engine rev and then saw the bright headlights coming up fast behind her. She gripped the steering wheel.
“What the hell is that guy doing? It’s a thirty-miles-per-hour road?”
It came up so fast, and she wondered if he would pass her. She was just going around the bend as the truck struck her from behind. She screamed as she lost control of the steering, the tires blew, and then the front of the car jerked forward into the ditch. Her head hit the steering wheel as the airbags went off and the engine began to smoke.
She felt her head throbbing, and she couldn’t focus or move her arm. Was it broken?
Strong hands gripped her by her shoulders and shook her.
“Where is she? Tell me where she is, or you’ll fucking die in this car, bitch!”
Blaze. Oh God, it’s Blaze. He’s going to kill me.
Lynn started crying and shaking so hard that her teeth chattered.
He reached in, unclipped the seat belt, and pulled her from the window. Her legs and arms got cut on the broken glass, and she screamed, realizing she couldn’t move her arm and that it was definitely broken. She couldn’t focus.
He smacked her face.
“Where is she, Lynn? She’s my woman, and you tell me where she is now, or I’ll kill you.” He placed the knife against her throat.
“No. Please, Blaze, don’t. Please help me,” she said.
“You help me and tell me where Cassidy is. Where is she?” he yelled at her and shook her.
She couldn’t even stand she was so weak, so scared and in pain.
“Two hours away in some town. I don’t know the name, damn you. Help me. Help me please,” she begged.
He pulled her away from the car and dumped her on the rocks and the roadway. He ran to the truck, revved the engine, and skidded out of there. She screamed as the car exploded, sending metal and debris over her head and around her. She lay there crying, not knowing if she would live or die and that she’d just gotten her best friend killed in order to save herself.
* * * *
Memphis and Orlando met Cassidy by her front porch. They’d packed a picnic lunch and some beverages and planned on swimming in the big swimming hole on the property. When Cassidy emerged in short shorts and a loose-fitting tank that barely covered her hot pink bikini, Memphis couldn’t help but lick his lips.
Orlando pulled her into his arms first and kissed her deeply. He ran his hand along her ass and gave it a tap.
“All set?” he asked.
She nodded and placed her bag with a towel sticking out of it onto her shoulder.
Memphis curled his finger at her, and she went right to him. She looke
d so petite standing in front of him with flip-flops on. He drew her in for a kiss and cupped her breast.
“Memphis,” she scolded.
He chuckled. “Don’t know why you’re wearing a bikini. We’re going skinny-dippin’,” he teased.
“Yeah right.” She started walking ahead of them.
Orlando chuckled. “That’s a great idea. It is private. No one would come along except for the rest of the team.”
“Or Red, and that would be embarrassing,” she scolded them.
“Red doesn’t go skinny-dippin’, Cass. Besides, he’s not home today. He went fishing with some friends and won’t be back until late tonight,” Memphis told her.
She gave a sexy expression over her shoulder.
“Hmm, maybe you two will get lucky then.”
Orlando smacked her ass. “We’ll be getting lucky, multiple times if you’re a good girl.”
She chuckled. “You’re so cocky. We should make a bet, and then the winner gets to decide a prize.”
“Ahh, she’s feeling like gambling with us, Orlando. What do you think?” Memphis asked.
“I think she’s going to regret this in about twenty minutes from now,” he said, and Memphis chuckled.
“Really? Name the challenge, and we’ll see who will be regretting what,” she said.
Memphis made some noise like a howl.
“Forward flip off Devil’s Peak,” Orlando stated.
Memphis was shocked. Devil’s Peak was a high piece of rock that sat above the swimming hole over the deepest part of the water hole. There was a long rope, and you had to climb partially up a tree then swing all the way and jump.
“Tell me what that is,” she asked.
“Oh no, then you’ll chicken out. We have to set the rules first,” Orlando continued, and Memphis laughed.
By the time they made it to the swimming hole, Orlando had this game set so, no matter what, he and Memphis would have their way with Cassidy. In the water, out of the water, hell, on Devil’s Peak. He smiled as he went along with it and knew this was going to be the best day at the swimming hole ever.
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