by Aliyah Burke
Replacing the nozzle, he capped the tank and stepped away, heading for the door. She fell into step with him, Lars on the other side. They all went inside the store.
“Hey Simon,” Marley said from behind the counter. “You’re back soon, didn’t you just come in a day or so ago?”
“I did, but I forgot a few things.”
Marley was an old man with white hair that couldn’t decide on a way to lay so it stood spiked up in all directions.
“Looks to me like you’ve found the most important one. About time I see you with a good woman.”
He flushed and looked at Geri who watched him with a smile on her lips. “I think so too, Marley. Thanks.”
Once he paid, he ushered her out of the store and back to the Bronco.
They made a quick stop at the grocery store where he picked up more medical items when he paused before the dog food, he looked at the woman beside him. Her lips twisted in a sneer.
“What’s wrong?”
“This is shit food. I feed him… Never mind. Thank you for getting him something to eat. But maybe just a small bag, I’ll hope that Hank can find my car. I have his food in there.”
Nope, his dislike with hearing that name hadn’t faded any. He grabbed a small bag which in his mind would last maybe one day and led her to the front of the store. After a bit more ribbing from those he encountered, he got her outside to where he put the purchases in the back and let Lars out once more.
Outside the grocery store was an actual pay phone and he walked her to it, giving her some change from his pocket.
“Make your call.”
He stepped back to allow her some privacy. While she did her thing, he had something he wanted to do as well.
“I’ll be right back,” he informed her before walking off.
αβ
Geri shifted nervously on the seat as Simon drove up the other side of the mountain to the coordinates Hank had provided her with on her vehicle’s tracker. Lars had picked up on her uneasiness and she struggled to control herself, if not for her for him.
“Rifle or pistol?”
Simon’s question jarred her from her thought of what the fuck was she doing.
“Huh?”
“Which do you prefer? Rifle or a pistol?”
“Pistol.”
She’d had much more practice with one of those versus a rifle.
Without a word, he reached between his back and the seat to pull out a SIG from his waistband and passed it over to her.
“There you go.”
The grip was warm from his skin and she caressed the black matte before taking a deep breath.
“Thank you.” She held up a hand warding off his comment. “I know I don’t have to thank you but not everyone would have given me a weapon, either.”
“I don’t know what we’re going into. According to Hank there were no buildings around so my guess, and his I suppose, is that no one moved your vehicle, but we don’t know if between now and then that will change. I want someone at my back who knows how to handle themselves.”
“I was in communications.”
“Bullshit. You may not be Special Forces, but you’re Army. You’re a solider. You went through combat training. The knowledge on how to handle yourself is in your memory.”
He didn’t give her any opportunity to doubt her ability to face whatever was coming. She gave a sharp nod and tucked the SIG against the small of her back, grateful to have it.
“Tell me about Lars.”
“What’s to tell?”
“Anything. You need to not think about what’s coming up.”
So she talked as he drove, appreciating how he, again, had been correct in what she’d needed. Talking about Lars always made her smile and to be able to share things with Simon was a bonus.
He slowed and took the faint logging road to the left. The ruts rattling her. She sat straighter. Ahead of them was her Jeep. Relief hit her as she spied the blue-gray of her Rubicon. Nothing appeared to be out of whack with it. The soft top, still on. All four doors shut.
She had opened the door of the Bronco before he’d come to a complete stop. Lars right on her heels. She hastened to the back wheel and reached up beneath it for the spare she always kept there. Unlocking the door, she peered inside.
A quick check and she faced Simon who had come up beside her.
“All good here. I don’t see anything missing at all.”
Massive relief rolled through her when she located her wallet, identification intact.
He nodded. “Ready to do some hiking?”
“Let me change first. I could do with some clean clothes.”
She made her way to the back and opened it, sighing as she found her stuffed duffle bag. Digging through it, she pulled out a clean pair of socks, underwear, bra, and jeans. She wanted to wear his shirt.
Geri put on her bra first then turned to sit in the back. Toeing off her shoes, she drew on the clean socks only to take them off once more. Standing again, she shucked her jeans and underwear, his shirt falling past her knees, so she hadn’t any fear of modesty. Also, she wasn’t looking to find out where he was, so it didn’t much matter to her. Panties first, then jeans, to be followed by her socks. Leaning to the side, she dug out her hiking boots from where they sat in their proper space and tied them on.
She tucked his shirt into her jeans, then bent to gather up the dirty items she’d taken off and stuffed them in a plastic bag. Folding it shut, she stuffed it beside her duffle and claimed the SIG once more that she put in her waistband.
“Lars,” she called as she gave him a scoop of food from the container she carried for him.
While he ate, she got him some fresh water in the bucket that hung in the back seat. She’d transformed the entire thing for him. Putting a platform across the floorboards so it was all even in the back, she had blankets, water bucket, and more back there for him. Along with extra leashes and treats.
“You’ve done nice work with this,” Simon commented.
“Thanks. I do a lot of hiking and when I got him, figured it was only right I fixed it so he could come with.” She touched her wound and blew out a breath. “He’ll be done soon.”
“No problem.”
She looked up at the man beside her. He had her pinned between him and the rear wheel of the Jeep. Not that she wished to be elsewhere. Nervous she flicked her tongue over her lips, noticing how his gaze tracked the simple motion.
“Simon,” she whispered.
He placed his hands against the frame of her vehicle. His broad shoulders blocking out everything beyond them. Time slowed. Her heart thundered in her ears as he neared. Her entire world moved at the speed of molasses, creeping along. Even the sounds of nature had dropped to a crawl, echoing through her with each second.
The man had sinfully long lashes and as he blinked, hiding those blue eyes from her, she took another deep breath. Christ, was it finally going to happen for her? Would he actually kiss her and eliminate her wondering how it would be the moment his lips touched hers?
He opened his eyes and locked onto hers. She held her breath, scared if she moved or made any sort of noise, he wouldn’t finish what she desperately wanted him to begin. The remaining distance fell away and his lips landed upon hers. Firm. Intoxicating.
She couldn’t stop the whimper from leaving her throat any more than she could change the stars. Pushing up on her toes, she increased the pressure between them. His tongue swiped along the seam of her mouth before entering to explore.
Geri gripped his shirt, balling it into her fists as she accepted the weight from him, he rested against her. God yes! This was what she’d been craving, this kind of contact. The same she had the night before when she woke sprawled on top of him. yet this even put that to shame because right now, his lips were on hers.
Simon wrapped his arms around her, pulling her away from the Jeep and closer to him. She pushed her tongue into his mouth, seeking as much of his taste as she could acquire
. He settled his hands on her ass, lifting her and she hooked her legs around him. her nipples so tight they hurt from wanting his touch on them. Her panties were useless as her body was beyond ready for him to push into her.
“Just so you know, I really want to fuck you right now. Tear off those jeans and thrust my cock into you until you scream my name.”
Her throat was dry. No words came but she nodded her agreement.
“So, so much,” he groaned. He bucked his hips into her. “Do you feel what you do to me, what you’ve been doing to me ever since you walked out of my bedroom in my shirt.
She grasped his hair and tugged, wanting him to look at her. He did and she nearly came from the heat in his gaze.
“Tonight,” she finally forced the word out of her mouth.
“Yes.”
One more hard fast kiss that had her wishing the sun had already gone down, there was a fire burning, and he was taking her to bed.
She hid her disappointment when he placed her back on her feet, his hands lingering on her ass. Forehead to forehead they stood there gathering their breath.
“Let’s go,” he muttered.
“Yes.”
Neither of them moved for another sixty seconds. Then they split apart as if they’d come to a mutual agreement to do so at that precise moment. Lars had left the vehicle and she locked it behind him. Simon raked his stare over her, reached for her hand, and together they set off, Lars trotting with them.
Chapter Four
Simon slowed as he heard her breathing pick up once more. They’d been walking for nearly an hour and she had to be exhausted. He peered about, searching for anything that could be a clue as to who was after her. He didn’t see a thing.
Continuing on, he paused when he didn’t hear her at all. He pivoted, hand going for the sidearm he’d picked up before they set out. Geri stood statue still, looking through a small break in the thick foliage.
“What’s up?” He moved to her side.
“This is it.”
“What?”
“Where I fell in the hole and went down.”
He furrowed his brow and crouched on his haunches to check closer. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
No doubt in her tone.
And as he looked, he did see a large paw print heading in the same direction. The fall was steep, she was lucky nothing had been broken. It was going to be a hellish walk back up.
“Ready?” He adjusted the rope on his shoulder, he would use it if necessary.
“Yep.”
He took point as they set off down the steep side. She stumbled into him and he reached back to steady her.
“You okay back there?”
“Still weak but surviving. Kind of wishing I had four legs like Lars, he’s making this look like a piece of cake.”
“Personally, I like you with two legs.” He released her with a hip squeeze.
It flattened out below them and as she sighed in relief, he paused. Something wasn’t right. He held up a hand and she even silenced her heavier breathing. Simon wasn’t sure how she did it but she recalled her dog back to her side without speaking.
She moved up beside him, hanging onto a spindly little tree to keep her balance. Lars stood between them, head down and a low growl emerging from his throat.
“Keep him quiet,” he warned.
He watched her in his periphery as she gave him a hand signal where after he fell quiet. No less on guard, but not growling any more. Lars split his attention between whatever was before them and Geri.
“Stay here.”
He didn’t give her a chance to argue with him, just crept forward. All instincts were screaming at him. he stared at the trees before him and froze. There was something eerily familiar about how they looked. That wasn’t the only thing that was familiar, the scent in the air was disturbingly so.
Booby trapped. He lurched back so fast, he nearly lost his footing and tumbled forward again. Something helped balance him. he turned his head and found Lars there, holding onto the back of his shirt with his mouthful of sharp teeth.
“Good boy. Let’s get the fuck out of here.”
Lars bounded easily up to Geri who had the SIG in hand. She was right, four legs would be a blessing at the moment.
“What did you see?” she asked when he got there.
“Later. Let’s go.”
Defiance flared in her expression but she controlled it and turned around. He hurried her along as fast as he could push her. They both panted and were near to out of breath when they hit the top.
“What was it down there?” she demanded between gasping breaths.
“You stumbled onto a meth lab. And you’re damn lucky you didn’t get blown up as that entire area is rigged with booby traps. Let’s go.”
He got five feet away from her before he realized she wasn’t moving, just standing there glancing back down to where they’d come from.
“Geri. Come on.” He took her hand and pulled.
Pushing hard, he got them back to their vehicles. He opened the door of her Jeep.
“Stick close,” he ordered, stealing a kiss before dashing to his vehicle.
He led the way back to his place, constantly watching to make sure she was back there. Personally, he wished her vehicle hadn’t been running because he would be able to have her with him. Every time they passed another car, his heart leapt into his throat. Were these the ones after her? Would they recognize her? Was he an idiot for letting her drive?
They made it safe and she parked beside him but didn’t get out right away. He walked to her Wrangler and opened the door.
“Thanks Hank. I’m not sure what it is all about yet but he said a meth lab and booby traps. So I’m sure I’m screwed especially if they believe I am a federal agent looking for them.”
“We got you covered.”
Simon noticed how deep that man’s voice was and didn’t like it.
He headed away to let her finish up. Either that or he would intrude on the conversation, letting this Hank guy know he could keep her safe. She entered the cabin a short time later, strode up to him without slowing and kissed him.
Every synapse flared to life, his cock hardened and he groaned as he held her tight. He thrust his tongue deep into her mouth, loving how she met each stroke of his with one of her own.
Lips mashed together, they stumbled to the house. As they pushed through the door, he tore away from her mouth.
“We should figure this out.”
“Right now? You want to stop right now?” Her breasts heaved with each breath she took.
“Fuck no.”
He wrapped his arms around her and picked her up off her feet. By the time they hit the hallway to the bedroom, shirts were off. They tore at each others clothing and they had none on when they made it to the bedroom.
Falling to the mattress, he kissed down her neck to capture one of her breasts. He swirled his tongue around the pointed tip, grazing it with his teeth and drawing it deep into his mouth.
“God yes,” she panted. Her hands dug into his scalp, anchoring him to her.
She tasted better than he ever imagined she would. He moved back and forth between her breasts while he skimmed down along her figure with one hand until he could cup her pussy.
Her moan was music to his ears. Flicking his fingers along her lips, he pushed two digits in her slit. Tight, wet, hot.
She flexed her internal muscles around him and he nipped at her. God he couldn’t wait to have his dick buried in her as far as it would go. Ignoring her whimper of frustration when he moved down her body, he continued kissing along her satin skin.
Simon wedged his shoulders between her thighs and flicked his tongue up her slit. Her mewls were music to his ears. She tasted like rich cream with a hint of honey. He couldn’t get enough of this aphrodisiac.
He laid an arm over her belly, holding her down while he feasted. He thrust his tongue as far as it could go, she writhed and bucked against him
but he wouldn’t relent, needing all she would give. A scream left her as she sank her fingers into his hair and yanked, hard. Hips bucking, she came hard around his tongue.
Until she finished trembling, he never let up. Continued using his tongue and fingers on her clit until all that left her were the hoarse cries. Giving her clit a final flick with his thumb, he moved back up her body until he captured her mouth once more.
She gripped his cock as it pressed against her entrance, moved him down and welcomed him inside her. He pushed forward with a single stroke.
Fuck yes.
Tears pricked the corners of her eyes as another orgasm slammed her, shaking she gripped the sheets as the man pressing into her from behind, gripped her shoulder in a brief bite.
Holy fuck during all her seven years of marriage she never experienced sex like this. This wasn’t going to be fair to have to settle for mediocre sex from here on out. She wasn’t believing that this man would be her future, no matter what she wanted.
He grunted behind her, driving his thick cock deep inside her willing pussy. Over and over he’d made her come until her throat was dry and hoarse. But she craved more, needed more. Counter, table, back of the couch, bed and in front of the fire. He’d taken her on multiple surfaces. They were now back in the bed, granted the sheets and blankets were all torn to hell.
She pushed up on her hands and shoved back into him, taking him deeper. He reached around her and pinched her clit showing her she had one more orgasm inside her to give. Then she collapsed, limbs to shaky to hold her any more.
Simon covered her from above, still buried deep inside her pussy. He pressed a kiss to the side of her neck and rolled them to the side before he tucked her in closer to him. one strong arm settled around her waist.
She closed her eyes and fell into an exhausted sleep. Twice more he woke her and took her on a ride she’d never forget.
The low growl woke her. Instantly awake, she froze when she realized she lay entwined with someone. Naked. It took her brain a few seconds to catch her up.
Simon. A man who’d rocked her world but hadn’t shared his last name with her.