by Piper Stone
Asshole.
Jerk.
Bastard.
Sexy.
Dangerous…
Hunk.
Chapter 3
Reaper
A beautiful, bratty handful as well as a woman in distress.
I’d come close to fucking her like some savage. I still ached to do so, sliding my cock into her pretty pink pussy. She’d been fully aroused, her swollen folds glistening during the spanking. Sighing, I tried to get my mind out of the gutter, but it was almost impossible. The live wire we’d been dancing on had been difficult to get off of.
For all her bravado and nasty words, Mitch was in some kind of trouble. Fuck. I didn’t need to be saddled with the bullshit or the girl.
Even if she was one gorgeous creature.
Long legs.
A voluptuous figure.
The kind of lips that would look damn good wrapped around my cock.
Every muscle in my body twitched, my shaft throbbing as my balls swelled all over again. Just the touch of her skin had been enough to sear the tips of my fingers. She was a hellion, a firecracker that could burn down my house. I lifted my hand, studying the rough pads on my fingers then rubbing them together. I could still feel the crackling electricity that had nearly turned the situation combustible.
Hell, what was I thinking?
I darted a glance over my shoulder then shook my head, trying to eliminate the fog that had enveloped around my freaking brain.
I tossed another log onto the fire before noticing she’d ravaged the food I’d prepared within minutes, tossing back another tumbler of bourbon as if she hadn’t had anything to eat or drink in a long time.
I studied her as I stood by the fire, trying to figure out where she would have come from. I knew a couple of the other cabins located four or five miles away. Was it possible that she’d gotten lost on her way to one of the others? Maybe. However, the driveway leading to this place was barely anything more than a dirt road, the single marker likely hidden by the earlier snow. While there was no logical reason that she’d been sent by anybody to locate me, I couldn’t rule out the possibility that she was a reporter for some scathing newspaper.
By the point I’d left Afghanistan, landing in Italy then hitchhiking across the country, I’d heard charges were supposed to have been filed, all five of us court-martialed. I hadn’t wanted to stick around for the treacherous festivities.
I shifted my gaze toward the fire, studying the flames as they licked against the freshly chopped wood, harsh images floating into my mind.
“You’re not serious?” I demanded as I stormed into Hawk’s quarters.
“About what?”
I noticed my buddy couldn’t even look at me. The fact he’d been placed in charge of our squad had never bothered me before. Today, it pissed me off. He was leading with his heart instead of his head. “About this damn mission?”
Hawk finally turned his head slowly, his pointed gaze riddled with anger. “You do not have the right to challenge me, soldier.”
Soldier? He hadn’t called me that in years. “I have every right to find out if you’re thinking this through. That damn informant is an insurgent. Do I need to remind you of that? There is no possible way to trust him.”
He stormed closer, moving within a few inches, the fury on his face evident by his reddening face. Hawk had never been the kind of man to be challenged. Not when we’d lived in Montana, considered the bad boys of the entire city of Missoula or during our time spent in boot camp and behind enemy lines. This was entirely different. He was on some kind of precipice, something I wanted no part of. “Are you trying to tell me that I should agree to leave a member of our squad wallowing in a prison cell? Are you suggesting that you could give a shit about whether he lives or dies?” he demanded.
“Fuck you!”
The memory was one of the most bitter, the vicious words and accusations continuing after the damning mission. I closed my eyes briefly, remembering a few good times from before the six of us had left to serve our country. Those had been entirely different adventures, even though we’d spent a hell of a lot of time trying to avoid getting arrested.
A part of me wanted to reconnect with my buddies, but in truth, I simply wasn’t ready.
“Why Reaper?”
Her voice broke through my almost trancelike state, forcing a hiss to surface. I didn’t need her interference or her battery of questions. I just wanted my peace.
“I already told you. Because I’m a killer.” Whether or not my answer bothered her, I didn’t give a shit. I took another swig of my drink and as I held the tumbler in front of me, the pressure I used could have easily shattered the glass. I was uncertain I could control my anger any longer. Whoever the girl really was, it would be difficult to tolerate her for any length of time.
“What does that make you? A monster or a hero?”
Her questions caught me off guard, a slight smile crossing my face. “Maybe a little of both. What are you running from, sweetheart?”
“I’m not running from anything. Just visiting a friend.”
It was easy to tell she was lying and that she didn’t trust me. Hell, I wouldn’t trust myself. I knew what I had to look like. Long beard. Unkempt hair. There was no reason to give a shit up here. I’d used the unruly look as a disguise for months, enjoying being incognito.
“With a thin coat and a shirt meant for warmer weather. Yeah. I’m not buying it. If I had to guess, I’d say you were running from the law. What’dya do, rob a bank? Steal that truck you mentioned?” When she didn’t answer, I shifted my gaze in her direction, shaking my head. Mitch had fallen asleep, the glass ready to slide out of her hand.
I walked around the coffee table, taking the drink from her hand and placing it on the wooden surface. In her sleep state, she seemed almost fragile and totally unlike the wild vixen who’d threatened to kill me. I found it difficult to take my eyes off her, almost mesmerized by her beauty. Granted, I hadn’t been with a woman in so long I couldn’t even remember the details. Fuck. I couldn’t leave her here. There was no way to fucking trust her.
Or me for that matter.
Cursing under my breath, I leaned over and gathered her into my arms, taking long strides toward the only real bedroom. As I positioned her onto the bed, tugging the blanket up and tucking it around her, I listened to the way the wind had kicked up even more than before. While the mountains of Montana certainly had their share of snowstorms, it was late in the season.
That usually meant the storm was going to be worse.
I’d likely have to contend with her for several days.
Fucking fantastic.
When I moved back into the living room, easing onto the sofa, I thought about what I wanted to do the rest of my life. The sad thing was I honestly had no idea. My work with counterintelligence wasn’t going to snag me a job in Montana. Even my weaponry training had limited possibilities. I certainly wasn’t going to be a damn rancher like my father or his father before him. I’d seen him work himself to the bone while barely making ends meet. Fuck that shit.
At least he’d made some money after selling the ranch, or so I’d heard from my brother the doctor who’d abandoned Montana a decade before. I hadn’t talked to my family since my return either. I wasn’t entirely certain anyone who used to know me had an interest in what I had to say.
Not after what I’d done.
Not after what we’d all done.
I poured another shot of liquor, finally ready to face at least a few of the memories. I had to or I was never coming down this damn mountain.
Pop! Pop!
Fuck me. I knew the damn lying sack of shit informant was going to get us killed. I swung my weapon as I raced toward the others, getting off several rounds. I didn’t have to bother watching as the assholes fell. I knew I’d made several direct hits. I shifted toward them, still taking long strides backwards until I was near the helicopter, the thumping blades a welcome sound.
&n
bsp; “Watch out!” Hawk bellowed as he dragged Vader toward the helicopter. “We have to get the fuck out of here!”
Scorpion yanked my arm, hissing as he yelled over the roar of the engine. “Get the fuck on the bird.”
Like hell I was. Not until every man who’d come on this mission could do so safely. A sudden blast of dirt and sand caught me directly in the eyes. I bent over, coughing as I covered my mouth and nose. The sound of rapid gunfire seemed to be coming from every direction. The damn assholes had already surrounded us. This had been a setup after all. I hunkered down as the dust cleared, prepared to fire again.
“Go. Go!” I yelled at the others as they raced toward the helicopter. We had to get the hell out of here or we’d be sitting ducks.
Several of the other men of the expeditionary unit jumped inside the bird, Vader refusing to let go of Hawk’s arm. Even from where I stood, I could see blood seeping from Vader’s arm. He’d been shot. We were all going to fucking die out here. Rage swept through me, the kind that yanked at my ability to follow Hawk’s orders. Who the hell did he think he was, putting us in this position?
I rushed forward again, getting off several additional shots as I made my way toward Mustang, searching the area for Snake. “Where the hell is Snake?” My question went unheard, the noise from gunfire as well as the whisking blades drowning out everything.
“Cover my back!” Scorpion yelled to me.
“Get back here!” Hawk yelled.
“We need to get on the chopper!” Mustang added.
“We can’t leave him out there!” Vader exclaimed, gasping for breath, following behind Scorpion.
Snake. Jesus Christ. Where the hell was the asshole going? He knew better.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
The damn insurgents were getting closer, the shots pinging off the helicopter.
“Get the fuck inside.” Hawk pushed Vader into Mustang’s arms, giving him a hard glare. “Get him on board.”
“Where the fuck you going?” Mustang hissed. “We need to get the hell out of here.”
“I’m not leaving without Snake,” Scorpion called.
He tried to shift closer to the door, but Mustang yanked him back, barking at him directly, “There’s nothing we can do right now. We will come back for him.”
“All for one and one for all, remember? We do not leave a man down!” Scorpion insisted, trying to jerk free from his hold.
“Then we’ll all fucking die!” Mustang snapped.
I searched the smoke-filled area, only to feel Hawk’s hand snagging my arm.
“I don’t think we can save him,” Hawk said, his voice sounding a million miles away.
Visions popped into my mind, a paralyzing feeling taking over. Through the haze, I noticed three of the fucking enemy soldiers attempting to slide around the backside, another single insurgent heading toward Snake. I swung my head toward the direction where Snake had gone, forced to make a choice. Everything suddenly seemed to move into slow motion. I could make both shots. All I had to do was concentrate.
I let off a spray of bullets, riddling the enemy soldiers with several. By the time I turned my head, Snake was nowhere to be seen. But I heard the single popping sound, and Snake’s agonizing cry. Jesus. Fucking Christ.
“Get over here, now!” Hawk yelled again, this time his voice sounding as if in a vacuum.
I backed away, my instinct of survival kicking in.
“Come on, buddy. You know the drill. We have to get back.” Vader’s voice rang out over the rest.
As Hawk roared, a spray of bullets hitting the hull, my instinct told me that we were out of time.
“Snake!” I bellowed.
I felt a hand snagging me, yanking me backward. “Let go of me.”
“No, buddy. That’s not going to happen,” Vader huffed. “You can’t save him. You tried.”
“Snake.”
Fuck!
I jerked onto my feet, realizing I’d actually called out the man’s name. Sweat covered my face, my skin clammy. The sound of the glass hitting the floor matched the hard thudding of my heart. It was difficult to catch my breath, every muscle tense. I hadn’t allowed myself to think of that actual moment in months. I’d been a fool to think I was ready to tackle the responsibility.
Or the guilt.
The single creak of the floor forced me to react without thinking. I immediately grabbed my weapon, whipping around to face the intruder, the Glock firmly positioned in both hands. No one was going to enter my private world. If they did, they would face my wrath.
She gasped, her eyes opening wide, her entire body shaking. “Don’t kill me. Please. I don’t want to die here.”
Her words broke the malevolent force that had stripped me of the ability to think clearly, shoving me back into the present. Yet I could still smell the stench of gasoline, smoke, and blood, my nostrils flaring as I glared at her.
As her words finally registered in my mind, I was forced to realize that I wasn’t fit to be around anyone. I also grasped onto the fact the mystery guest was indeed running from a very bad situation. Who the hell was this girl?
“Go back to bed. I’m not going to kill you.” My tone was far too demanding, but I didn’t give a shit. She’d come to the wrong cabin if she thought I would be able to help her. I was exactly like the people she was running from.
A murderer.
“Are you okay?” she asked, actual concern in her voice. She walked closer, her eyes darting back and forth.
“I said. Go the fuck back to bed.”
“Why are you such an asshole?” Her defiance had returned, and she stormed closer, purposely stomping on the hardwood floor as if ready to throw a tantrum. That’s when I realized that she’d managed to find a flannel shirt. My fucking flannel shirt. She stood in nothing but the damn red and black plaid, her feet bare. She looked like some sweet and innocent flower.
Only I knew better.
She was hiding something. Whatever it was, she’d managed to place me smack in the middle of it.
“This is my place, sweetheart. I can be or act any way I want,” I snorted.
“That doesn’t give you the right to keep me here or spank me or…”
“If you misbehave, then you deserve to pay the price.”
Her haughty look yanked at my patience. “Like I said before. Fuck you.”
“You know what? You’re right.”
When she dared to walk to within a few inches of me, even lifting her hand as if ready to slap me, I reacted without thinking. All the pain and frustration, the heartache and longing swept into me like a wildfire. I snapped my hands around her wrists, yanking her closer and onto her toes. A growl rushed up from the depths of my being the second she let off a scattered whisper, her beautiful blue eyes penetrating into my very soul. “I can also do anything I want.”
God, I wanted this woman. I didn’t care if what I was going to do was irrational and filthy, pushing every boundary there was.
“What the hell do you mean?” she challenged, those sapphire blue eyes sparkling with lust as well as venom.
“Disobedient girls need punishment. They also need to be fucked.” I jerked her heated body against my chest, immediately fisting her luxurious raven-colored hair, forcing her back into an arc as I crushed my mouth over hers. My heart raced to the point I was seeing stars. Nothing mattered any longer. Nothing but tasting her.
Caressing her.
Fucking her.
She slammed her fists against me, wiggling in my hold as her moans persisted. Every sound was more like sweet music. Every push of her hand only fueled the angry, lonely man who’d blocked off everything and everyone.
The kiss became a wild moment of passion, utter savagery erupting from deep within. I thrust my tongue inside, sweeping it back and forth, dominating hers as I wanted to do with every other inch of her body.
She’d sparked something I’d long thought dead, her vibrant, brazen attitude dragging the beast from his lair.
; Another whimper left her mouth as she undulated her body, her fists now used to cling to me. The taste of her was magnificent, sweet and tangy. I wanted to drink every drop of her essence, hoping it would fill my blackened soul.
I gathered the scent from between her legs in my nostrils, the fragrance as intoxicating as any bottle of booze. She was wet, her body as hot as the raging fire behind us. I shifted my hand down her back, cupping her bottom. The feel of her smooth silk panties was just as thrilling as seeing them had been earlier. But I wanted nothing more than to rip them off, removing every obstacle that stood in my way.
I was going to have her.
God help me, but nothing would stop me.
As the kiss continued, she stopped struggling altogether, even sliding her hand toward my cock. The second she wrapped her hand around my thick bulge, squeezing her long fingers, I broke the kiss. I could barely catch my breath as I dragged my tongue across her cheek, moving to her jaw.
She continued stroking as I nipped her earlobe, the carnal sounds she made so beautiful and alluring.
“I can tell you’re wet for me, sweet Mitch. Tell me, do you hunger to have my cock thrusting deep inside your pussy?” I didn’t even recognize my voice, or understand my behavior, but the feisty woman was going to know I was in absolute control.
“No. Never.”
“No?” I snarled as I smacked my hand across her bottom.
Her eyes opened wide, her pouty look driving me absolutely crazy. “No,” she whispered with zero conviction. “I can’t want you.”
“Yet you do.”
“You’re a…” Mitch was unable to finish the sentence. She bit her lower lip as she caressed my cock, driving me to the point of utter anguish. I had just about all I could stand, my needs far too intense.
After stroking me for a few seconds, she reared back, giving me a heated look that was almost unreadable.
“Who the hell are you?” she whispered, the same electricity as before surging through both of us. We crackled from it, our hearts beating in rapid succession.