People always say the eyes are the window to your soul...and she never believed it so much until tonight. She could see ghosts and demons that haunted all of them through their eyes. As their walls crumbled some from the drinks, their pain came to the surface. Everyone agreed with Zane, chiming in about how it was unjust and wishing they could make a difference. Alaina remained quiet and just listened until Nick spoke up.
“The fuckers killed my dog. He saved my life.”
The half thought made Alaina ask, “What do you mean? Who killed your dog?”
“The fucking General had a couple of privates go around and shoot all of the animals that we had on base. He said they carried disease, and he didn’t want their filth on his compound. That dog kept me from being blown the fuck up by a suicide bomber. When the car pulled up at a checkpoint, we were running, Bone got between me and the car barking and snarling to back me up. We were all locked and loaded, but Bone smelt the explosives. We stepped back into the ditch just as the car blasted in a ball of fire. He ended up with a few minor burns, so I took him back and fixed him up. I had him for over a damn year when they decided to be heartless bastards. That dog put in more time on missions and worked harder than half the platoon. He was just a pup.”
Alaina’s heart dropped. She could almost see moisture in the huge, tough man’s eyes. Drake reached over and patted his shoulder in an offering of support.
“That dog was something else. Tough as nails, but if it thundered even one time, he ran into the CHU, or combat housing unit, with his tail between his legs and hid under our covers. We had him trained to shower when we did, and even eat in the mess hall. He was one of us.” Drake filled another round, tossing the empty bottle in the trash before fetching another one. They all toasted in silence, remembering one of their fallen. To them, he was a soldier through and through.
“Man, I don’t know if I am ready to leave that life. There's so much I can do to help with the battle. I wish we could form our own A-Team and say fuck everyone,” Alex said before guzzling another glass.
“A-Team? More like Power Rangers with you goofs. If we go back in, nothing will be changed. We will still be taking orders from suits higher up that won’t give a shit about anything. We would have to form and fund our own unit, and be ready to pay the consequences if we are captured or caught. The U.S. would not run to our aid. Hell, we will have to watch out for them too. If we step in the wrong place, they will charge us with something for interfering with official Army business. It would be one hell of a risk.” Jeremy stared off at the wall. They all started throwing ideas out, excited and amped up at the mere idea of getting back into the game.
“I say screw it. We are what we are. We need to look into this more and see if it is even possible. If it is, I am willing to lay my cards on the table and go all in. I would bet on you all any day,” Drake stated. The group all seemed to share the same feelings, and intoxicated excitement about their ‘mission in life’ as Nick had put it. Even buzzing off her ass, she still saw the overzealousness they all shared.
The rest of the night, the group finished off two more bottles and at least a hundred war stories before calling it a night. Alaina said her good nights and made her way back to the bed, stumbling and thankful for the narrow hallway that held her upright. It took a lot of manipulation, but she managed to shuck her clothes and crawl into bed, boggled in the numbing tingles of alcohol.
When Leland and Brody crawled in beside her, her libido went through the roof. Leland snuggled up to her back, and she faced toward Brody in a three-way spoon. Her right knee slid up over his legs and nudged slowly against his cock, hoping for a rise. She got a deep growl, and he gently moved her leg down off his growing boner. Alaina huffed, not exactly sure why she was being rejected. Didn’t all men like fucking a drunk chick? Hell, Brian had made her get drunk on many occasions just so he could use and abuse her, and give nothing back. Not willing to give up just yet, she arched her ass into Leland’s groin, grinning when she felt the hard rod press into her crack. A duplicate growl vibrated against her back from his enormous chest. He thrusted it against her hard once and scooted away. “No you don’t, love. I want nothing more than to sink balls deep in your sweet little cunt, but you are drunk.”
“So? Doesn’t it make it that much better for you two?” she slurred.
Brody slid his head over to lean his lips against her ear. In the sexiest whisper she had ever heard, he said, “Not for us. When we take you, we want you to be fully aware of everything we are doing, every sensation we create, and every orgasm we give you. We want to know that you are going to remember why you are sore the next morning and can’t walk. Now, be a good girl and stop teasing.” After the last warm word skated across her earlobe, he traced his tongue along its ridges and down her neck, ending with a suction kiss. A shiver ran up her backbone, igniting a need deep in the pit of her womb. Unable to drop it, she put her sexy attitude on and boosted her feminine drunken charm… if there was such a thing.
Leaning back over to Brody, she turned the tables on him. Instead of starting with words, she let her tongue find its way to his ear, licking and sucking the lobe before finally stopping with her lips against him. “I am not that drunk, I will remember everything, believe me. But right now, I don’t want to think or remember. I want to feel. I need to feel….you both…here.” Her hand had slowly captured his, dragging it to her cunt. Slowly she slid her panties over, putting his hand directly on her slick mound. When he didn’t pull away, she decided to take it even farther and pressed his forefinger between her lips, rubbing and playing. When she drew it back up to circle her clit, he roared. It didn’t take much coaxing to get him to move down to her needy opening, and she gently pressed his hand to sink into her.
“Leland, I need some help over here…I am knuckle deep and the last shred of chivalry and falling fast…” his voice had grown husky and sexy. She smiled, loving that she was actually succeeding at seducing him.
“Dude, don’t. Your dick can wait until tomorrow. She is intoxicated and doesn’t know what the hell she is doing. It’s just wrong.” Leland sounded a little more sober than he was a few minutes ago, which sucked because he had more control but at the same time was good because he could just as easily be unable to resist and still ‘perform’.
Throwing caution to the wind. Why not? she thought. I might as well go big or go home… Her fingers curled over his and she shoved him all the way into her, clenching his finger in kegels tight enough to make him wiggle his digit inside her. In a bit of an over dramatic tone, she moaned sexily right by his ear.
“Fuck, Alaina. I promise you are going to pay for this, soon. So soon, baby. You see, Dom and I share tastes in certain things, and I have just the solution to your vixen ways. You are going to be begging for mercy tomorrow.”
“Brody, change of plans. Her sweet little hand just wrapped around my dick. Play time. Plan B, got it?”
“Got it. Let’s give her what she wants, bro,” Brody mumbled through clenched teeth.
“What is plan B?” Interest perked, making her head swim with the mix of anticipation and alcohol haze.
“Already on it.” Leland’s breath was already in short pants. Before she knew what hit her, Leland had her hands pinned above her head. Brody had jumped up and straddled her, sliding down to the foot of the bed. When Leland latched onto her pebbled nipple, she arched into his mouth and screamed as Brody lapped the juices flowing from her tingling, hypersensitive pussy.
“Damn her cream is sweet. Doesn’t she have the prettiest little hole you have ever seen?” Brody licked up to her clit, sucking and rolling it between his teeth.
“The prettiest. Her little ass is fucking sexy too.”
“I like the way you think.” Brody sounded like he had a mouth full of oatmeal. He had managed to suck her lips into the warm cavern of his mouth, and was devouring her.
She had planned to mention they were ignoring her and talking as if she wasn’t wrapped up with both o
f them in a bed but soon forgot and ended up lost, floating in another realm. She was high on these men, and didn’t want to ever come down. Alcohol had only been an enabler—in the sense that she could feel without thought, love without regret. Love? The single word flashed in bright neon lights across the emptiness. No way. It’s not possible…it is too soon. I deeply care for them. There. That makes more sense, right? Love was a word and emotion she knew whole-heartedly would take a lot longer to develop, but from her standpoint, they were on the right track. Could she totally love and trust again after Brian? Was she capable of giving everything to someone, or in this case two people, without being guarded and jaded to some degree?
Leland planted a kiss on her, making her float even higher and stop the inner dilemma that had started to arise. Instead of working her up, he demanded. The sting created on her lips from the roughness of his jaw and the scrapes of his teeth sent her from zero to orgasm in less than a minute. She was clinging on the edge, grinding on Brody’s face in desperation for release. Brody rubbed a fingertip on her clit, and Leland palmed her breasts before pinching down on both nipples at the same time, remaining lip locked in a tongue fucking. It was all too much. Alaina exploded. There was no restraint, no reservations. Both of her legs wrapped around Brody’s head and shoved him harder against her. Screams slipped from the gaps in their joined mouths. Her body wrenched and twisted on the bed. They milked her, draining every drop of cum before slowly easing her back down to earth. The last thing she remembered before the depths of sleep took over was a sweet kiss from each of them, and a “Good night, sweetheart. Dream of us.”
Chapter Ten
Alaina woke with the best hangover of her life. Kisses, coffee, and pain reliever were the first thing she got when she opened her eyes. The curtains had all been drawn, and the room was dimly lit and bearable. Leland and Brody had obviously been up for quite some time, and had seen to Elizabeth’s needs. She was outside playing pinecone stickball with Nick and Wesley. She had already had a shower, Alex had fixed her hair, eaten more death by sugar rush chocolate pancakes, and now her sweet laughter could be heard.
After the sweetest non-manly snuggles she had ever received in her life, she made her way to the shower to start a new day—with Brody and Leland. That afternoon, they managed to sneak away and finish the previous night’s events in the sweet mountain air with the wide open woods surrounding them. It didn’t matter what or where, these two could rock her world in a matter of minutes. Three rounds in the woods and two hours later, she was succulently sore and beaming bright.
They made a campfire and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows for dinner, washing it down with hot chocolate. Lizzy got her first real camping experience. Everyone had taken turns telling ghost stories and singing kids songs, just to give her the best day they could. She snuggled up in Alaina’s arms and passed out halfway through a cadence Zane had altered to make kid-friendly. Alaina cuddled her tight, rocking her until her arms went numb. Before she could stand, Nick scooped her out of her grip and carried her to her bed, tucking her in with a teddy bear on each side. The big strong Kodiak bear smiled when he moved to let Alaina kiss her goodnight. “She is the best little thing in the world. No one will ever try to hurt her again, I promise you that.”
****
In the next three days, they slowly made their way to Justice, Montana. Nothing from their drunken conversation had been mentioned again. It was amazing what all came out onto the table when people were loosened by alcohol. Untainted truth came out every time. That night, emotions that had been under lock and key in the team got a chance to breathe, and Alaina was proud she'd gotten to be a part of it.
The troop had insisted stopping at various landmarks and parks along the way, wanting Elizabeth to explore and have fun. From petrified forests to dinosaur remains, they took each stop like a brand new mission. Her daughter was happier than she had been in as long as Alaina could remember. Hell, Alaina was happier than she had ever been in her life. When the big rolling chariot pulled down a dirt road that led to a huge older lodge style cabin, there was no denying it. This was…home.
“So, what do you think? I figured it would be run down…but not barren and docile. It’s going to need a lot of work. My father has been…ill for a while. There are ranch hand cabins scattered along the property. We have enough for everyone and then some. The barns used to be stocked with fresh hay, and the lands full of cows and horses. From the looks of things, he has sold them all off.” Something gripped Leland, showing a jagged edge she hadn’t seen before.
Not knowing what to do, she slowly slid her arm around his waist and hugged up against him. “I think it is gorgeous, and perfect.” Instead of allowing him to slump into the unknown place he was going, she turned and faced him. With both hands cradling his face, she whispered, “It is home,” and kissed him.
The doors swung open and everyone piled out, venturing around in exploration. Out of the corner of her eye, Alaina caught the faint silhouette of a man standing in the shadows of the porch. No one had noticed him yet. She discretely meandered over and walked over to him, extending her hand. “Hello, I am Alaina Bradford.” He was tall and broad through the shoulders, but time had taken its toll and what once was a brawny, handsome cowboy was now what looked to be a hollow shell. She could see where brute muscles had once been, and where the faded tan had come from year after year of work in the sun.
He looked up and met her eyes, staying firmly in place. After an awkward moment, she lowered her hand and stepped closer. He didn’t speak, but just kept his gaze affixed to hers. Without overthinking it, she closed the remaining couple of feet and hugged him. After a few long minutes, his arms raised up and hugged her slightly, seeming unsure. Alaina smiled in understanding, knowing that whatever was buried deep in the man, the one thing he needed most was someone to try. Baby steps. If anyone could help, she could. It seemed that everyone who was going to call this place home was broken in some way. Together. Together they would overcome all of the pain and anguish from the past, the present, and the future. When she stepped away, she offered him a genuine smile and turned to leave. Before she made it off the steps, he said, “Michael. Michael Reynolds.”
She turned around, pausing momentarily. “It is nice to meet you, Mr. Reynolds.” With that, she walked away. A quick glance over her shoulder revealed he too had disappeared.
After a tour of the house, Alaina fell back into her domestic comfort zone, skirting around the kitchen, cooking a meal big enough for an army, literally. The rest had been busy cleaning up the cabins and getting everyone settled in. Michael stayed out of the way, not crossing paths with any of them. There were a few run ins in the hall, and a curt nod or hello was all that was spoken.
Brody and Leland were sitting in the front room, deep in debate over the assessment of damages the property and buildings had. From the sound of things, cattle and horses weren’t cheap. She could sense the anxiety around them and wanted to help defuse the tension.
“Dinner time!” she hollered. Roast, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, gravy, homemade mac and cheese, and a salad centered the long dining table. Elizabeth had set the plates and silverware out for each person, folding the napkins into triangles. The troop hustled in, almost knocking each other down on the way. Once everyone had been seated, Alaina noticed an empty setting. “Where is Mr. Reynolds?”
“Probably in his room drinking his dinner. But what do I know…we have been here all day and the bastard hasn’t said a single word to me,” Leland gruffed. They all eyed him momentarily before changing the subject and avoiding the uncomfortable situation. Brody reached for the roast, and Alaina stopped him.
“Just a minute, Brody. I will be right back.” He stopped and put his hand back on the table, looking at her curiously. She scooted her chair out and hurried out of the room toward the hall.
Without hesitating, Alaina knocked on Michael’s door. Then again, and again. No answer. On a final rap, she turned the handle and walked
in, announcing her presence. “Mr. Reynolds? I am coming in.” She slowly entered, hoping he wasn’t naked or sleeping. He wasn’t thankfully, but was perched in a rocking chair staring out the window. She marched over to him and put her hand on his shoulder. “Dinner is ready. Come in and get your plate.”
He finally acknowledged her. With a simple shake of his head, he turned back to stare into the abyss.
Okay you stubborn ol’ coot, two can play this game. “Mr. Reynolds, we are waiting on you, and supper is getting cold. Now, please get up and get your butt to the table.”
This time he didn’t even look up at her. “I'm not hungry.”
His bitchy tone only made her more determined. She turned on her heels and stomped out, returning only a short time later with a tray full of food. Instead of setting it on the dresser beside him, she thrusted it into his hands and said, “You need to eat,” and went back to the table.
Alaina sat back down and looked at the group. With a smile, she asked, “Who is going to say grace?” Everyone looked at each other, not sure how to respond. One thing the whole group shared was their belief in God. With their line of work, they had to. That being said, there was a guilt and uncertainty that clouded each of them from the things they had done on the battlefield. Whether they would be judged for them or not, they wouldn’t know until it was time. Alaina sensed their hesitation and without skipping a beat, added, “Jeremy, will you do the honors?”
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