Breaking All the Rules

by Aliyah Burke

  Surrounded by his siblings, he made his way to the desk to sign himself out. The doctor arrived but nothing he could say would make Wild reconsider his decision to leave this place. One of his brothers said they would come back for meds later then they waited for Adam to bring the vehicle up to the door.

  Over a foot of snow on the ground and the cold air was both painful and refreshing to him as he stepped out into the elements. He sat in the seat and soon they were on the way.

  “Tell me what happened, Derek,” he said as Adam drove. “And how is the woman?” He knew they’d been successful but he wasn’t sure about how it all went down.

  “You showed up and told me that Alyse waited at the airfield. All we had to do was get there with Avery. Wasn’t as easy as it should have been. The men who had taken her from her father were determined to get her back.”

  “Who had her?” He could only get a small visual memory of her. She hadn’t registered to him other than their mission. He recalled she was a small black woman who looked like she’d seen much better days.

  “Some group that used the country as their hideout. They were German, that’s all we really know.”

  “Continue,” he said. Wild watched the landscape roll by. He loved winter and the beauty it brought to the land.

  “When you reached us, I was already injured and Avery…well, she was in shit shape.” Derek’s voice dropped and grew diamond hard. “As we made our escape, you covered me and her and took the bullets meant for us.” Wild looked over his shoulder at his brother. There were tears hanging in the corners of his eyes. “I didn’t expect you to take ‘bullet catcher’ to heart like that, being a Marine and all.”

  Wild faced the front again, not going to raze his brother. Had their positions been reversed he would have been the same way. “You want it done right, one sometimes has to do it themselves.” I couldn’t resist.

  For a few moments the interior of the car erupted into the usual argument about which branch of the military was the best. The familiar ribbing made him feel all that much better. He may not always get along with his siblings but they were his brothers and he would do anything for them, including die if that was asked of him. They were a formidable team.

  “Then what, Derek?”

  “I put you in the back with Avery, who was unconscious, and drove like hell to get to the airstrip as you bled. We weren’t that far ahead of those after us. Alyse, bless her, was watching and had the plane idling for us. She carried Avery up after I took you, shut the door and took off like they did Air Force One in Independence Day, rough and bumpy ride but with the goal to be getting off the ground, that was the focus, not a smooth ride. Plus we had a tank firing at us.”

  More awe slicked its way into his brother’s tone. Wild turned again and watched him. Derek looked rough. Dark circles under his eyes and worry lines present on his features.

  “She put us into a thunderstorm to hide us a bit more from those jets after us. There were some fancy flying moves she did to avoid any direct hits. We took damage but she continued flying and dodging the best she could. She kept them at bay enough that we didn’t have to do any emergency landing before getting home. Adam sent two fighters to escort us.”

  “How is she?” he asked.

  “Fine last time I saw.” The other two agreed with his statement.

  “Continue,” he ordered.

  “I wasn’t up front with her, bro. I was in the back with you trying to stop your bleeding and that of Avery. She landed there in the snowstorm and two ambulances waited, one for you and one for Avery.”

  There was a hitch in his brother’s voice every time he said that woman’s name. He would have pressed him on that, but they were pulling into his mom’s driveway at the moment. Wild unhooked his belt, ignored the beeping from the car, and waited for Adam to stop him in front of the walk leading to the house.

  He left the vehicle as soon as it stopped. His legs weren’t as strong as he’d like them to be, but they worked, would get stronger the more he used them, and he made his way up to the door. Despite the cold, he could feel the sweat on his brow as he typed in his code.

  Wild stepped inside and froze, his mom was in the living room and she looked up at him, eyes rimmed red.

  “Wild?” She rose and hurried to his side. “Oh, my baby.” She held him tightly as tremors shook her body.

  Holding her, he sent a confused look to his brothers who passed him and closed the door. Adam shook his head and the three of them left him alone with his mother.

  “I thought I lost you,” she bemoaned into his chest. “I couldn’t bear it if I lost you, too.” Her fingers clenched at his side and he dismissed the pain her grip caused him. This was his mom. He lowered his head and kissed her temple as he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back. “I’m okay, Mom. Promise. I’m fine.”

  She stood back and stared at him, assessing for herself. Sarah Wilder laid a hand along his face. “You and I have been growing apart, Wild. I’ll not stand for it anymore. I know what I said and how it was taken. I was wrong for how I handled that. I love you and nothing will ever change that. You are your father’s son all the way through.” Wild flinched at that but she shook her head. “That’s not a bad thing. It makes me so happy to see him in you. He’s never that far away this way. I know he’s so proud of you and so am I. Going after your brother and bringing him home as you did.”

  “I love you, too, Mom.” He looked around the room before turning his head and kissing her palm.

  “She’s not here, Wild.” He put his gaze on hers. “Alyse. She took Avery home. She’s due back later today.”

  “She’s coming here?” he asked.

  “Yes. I made her stay here with me after she got back. Come sit. You’ve lost weight, I’ll fix us something to eat.”

  She walked away and Wild followed her to the kitchen where his brothers were. Karen was there as well and he was surrounded by the love of his family, he knew that one more was coming soon and then his life would be complete.

  Chapter Five

  Alyse disembarked from the jet, bag over her shoulder. The temperature here in Montana was a great deal different than it had been in Florida. But there weren’t many days down there where over a foot of snow covered the ground.

  She’d had enough time after taking Avery back to stop by and see her family. It had been good to hold her nephew and brush kisses over his head. She’d not been to see Wild since they brought him back. Updates she got, they told her he was doing well and all of that but she wouldn’t go see him.

  It was hard enough to see her nephew in the hospital, she didn’t need to see Wild that way. Wild. Even her heart ached for him. This wasn’t smart, she had to reevaluate this job. With a wave to the men who would clean the jet and refuel her, she climbed in her SUV. After a good stretch she left the place.

  “How the hell did I get roped into staying at Mrs. Wilder’s place?” she bemoaned that as she drove over plowed roads.

  The woman was a veritable firestorm when she wanted something. And apparently her word was law. Much more staying at her place and she would just get out of her lease. No point in paying for a spot she wasn’t staying in.

  The jazz on her radio helped relaxed her a bit more. Blinker on, she turned into the drive and smiled as she saw vehicles from the other children. These men loved their mother and she them. It was great, dinners were always loud and boisterous.

  She parked next to Derek’s truck and the large blade on the front where she shut off the engine. Alyse took a moment and relished the silence. No music. No road noise. Just silence and the picture perfect imagery surrounding her.

  The snow-covered landscape, fat flakes falling from the overcast sky, large ranch house with smoke churning from the stone inlaid chimney, all of it stirred up longings and desires she hadn’t known she wanted before. She blew out a breath, grabbed her keys from the ignition, and stepped out to the snowy late afternoon. It would be dark soon and quite honestly she wa
s glad she didn’t have to drive for a bit. She was tired. Emotionally and physically.

  Swiping her bag from the backseat, she shouldered it while she banged the door with her hip, closing it. She blinked away the flakes that took up residence on her lashes. Stop delaying and get inside, Alyse, she admonished herself.

  Some days the noise was almost too much for her. Her childhood, and adult life, wasn’t as loud as the Wilder household could be. At the door, she typed in her code and opened it.

  Warmth poured out and she smiled over the food scents which mingled in. Fully inside, she double-checked her footwear, making sure they were clean, then walked down the hall to the room she’d been given to use.

  The clamor from the kitchen faded a bit as she closed the door behind her. She lowered her shoulder and allowed her bag to slip to the floor. Her jacket followed and she rubbed the back of her neck as she moved to the bed.

  She jumped when the door slammed open. Whirling to see what had happened, her heart thundered even harder when her gaze landed upon Wild. He leaned against the doorframe and stared at her. She couldn’t read his expression, the man could have been carved out of marble for all the emotion she got from him.

  Part of her longed to run to him and check for herself she truly faced him and he was all right. That he wasn’t a cruel trick her imagination had decided to play on her.

  It’s no illusion.

  His black shirt molded to his chiseled torso and his jeans hung about lean hips. That light stubble on his face drew her eyes more than once as did the bow-shaped lips she knew were heaven to kiss.

  “Hello, Wild,” she said.

  Good for me. Act professional. Even if he did barge into a room which is supposed to have been mine, at least for the duration.

  His eyes, those beautiful Mediterranean blue eyes, watched her with smoldering embers in them. The hooded look was like he reached out and touched her. Ran his tongue along her naked body and was about to deliver her to the bliss she found in his arms.

  “You didn’t come to the hospital.”

  “That’s not true.”

  He lifted a brow and pushed away from the doorframe and moved toward her. Move? Prowled. Stalked. All she could see was a jaguar male in his prime claiming what he wanted. And from the way he watched her, she was his prize.

  “Really?”

  “I went. Once, I just couldn’t bring myself to go inside.” Lord, he was big. And not moving like a man who had a life-threatening injury in recent history.

  “So you didn’t come see me.”

  “No, but I did go to the hospital.” She licked her lips, ignoring the thrill of pleasure which zipped through her when he honed in on the action.

  “You weren’t there when I woke. Nor after.”

  He circled her, not touching her once and her entire body gravitated toward him, she couldn’t help it.

  “Your family was there.”

  If my heart pounds any harder it’s going to punch through my ribs and fall to the floor at his feet.

  “You weren’t.”

  “I was working.” Okay, that sounded lame to even her ears.

  “Come on.”

  “Come on?”

  “Yes, you’re driving me home.”

  She shook her head, unsure she had actually followed the conversation correctly. “I’m sorry, I’m doing what?”

  “Taking me home.”

  “Why exactly am I doing that?”

  His gaze speared her to the floor. “Because when you do I’m going to touch you. And once I start, I’m not going to stop. It can happen here if you want, either way works for me. But if you don’t want my family hearing you scream my name as I fuck you until you can’t walk, then you’ll drive me home. I don’t have much more control to not touch you, Alyse. Here or there. Your decision.”

  She gulped. She’d asked and he’d answered. It didn’t help that she grew wet and needy at his explanation. “There,” she muttered.

  “Get your things. You won’t need to stay here anymore.” He leaned close and his breath fanned along the side of her neck. “Although I’m pleased Mom put you in my room. I love you in my bed.”

  She strode to the door, grabbing her bag and jacket on the way. In the living room stood the rest of the Wilder clan. Seated and standing in various places about the room. The one thing in common was the amused look on their faces.

  Wild didn’t slow, he shot her a look and strode to the door.

  “I guess I’m taking him—”

  “They know, Alyse. Just like they know you’re off the clock for the next week.”

  She offered a small smile and went after him. Outside she watched him make his way to her vehicle, which she unlocked and started before they got there. Once they were inside, she slanted her eyes to him. “You know I’ll never be able to look at them in the face again.”

  “Drive.”

  She did and he gave her directions to his house. Although the when and where to turn completed the words between them on the drive, she felt his gaze on her the entire trip. The closer they got, the deeper his voice grew. She kept her eyes on the road and did her best to remain calm.

  “Here,” he rasped. “Turn here.”

  Damn! His house was gorgeous. Smoke poured from his chimney as well. Had he been home? Why wasn’t he driving himself then? “Where do you want me to park?”

  “Garage.” He held up a device she’d not known he had. One of the doors rose as she approached and she parked next to his Audi.

  He was out before she was as the outer door lowered and she followed him inside. Wild grabbed her the moment she was fully in his house, his lips covering hers. She closed her eyes, not willing to fight with him on the not mixing business with pleasure right now. All she knew was she needed him. And from the feel of things, his thoughts ran concurrent to hers. Winding her arms around his neck, she poured every last bit of her feelings into her response.

  Wild’s hands shoved off her jacket even as he continued to plunder her mouth. Frantic, she did what she could to assist him along. This night was about them. Ramifications could come later.

  ***

  Wild stepped from the shower and wrapped the towel he reached for around his waist. He paused for a moment, his thoughts drifting back to their night in Belize and how she had vanished while he showered. Sneaking a look through the door, he smiled when he saw her sprawled out on his king-sized bed.

  Alyse lay on her stomach, head partially buried beneath the pillow. One hand under it with her and the other along her side. The cream sheet sat bunched up along the small of her back and her dark skin, a vivid contrast. A stunning contrast.

  He toweled off his head and hung it on the rack before he left the steamy room. His woman hadn’t moved. Yes, she was his. After his latest incident he had no intentions of progressing further without her in his life.

  Wild rubbed the scar on his chest. Another to add to the numerous ones he already had. Three days had passed since Alyse had driven them here. She’d not been dressed that entire time. He smirked. He liked her naked.

  Going to the window, he opened the shades and allowed the muted light to penetrate the room. He heard her shifting behind him and turned to face her. Nope, she still wasn’t awake, she’d just buried her head deeper under the pillow.

  He padded from the bedroom down the six stairs to the main floor and to the fireplace. After adding some more wood he ensured the fire wouldn’t get extinguished then continued on to the kitchen where he began breakfast.

  His cell vibrated on the counter and as he whisked the eggs he peered at the screen. He used one hand to answer and put it up to his ear.

  “What, Adam?”

  “Just checking to make sure you haven’t killed our pilot or yourself with all your…erm…activities.”

  He smiled in spite of himself. “She’s fine. I’m fine. I’d even let you talk to her but she’s sleeping right now.”

  “You sure all is good?”

  “Trust m
e, Army. She’s awesome and therefore so am I.” He rolled his shoulders, pleased when the lingering sting from her nails made its presence known.

  “I don’t want to lose her as a pilot, Kristopher.”

  The fact his brother used his first name had him realizing how serious this was for him. “I get that, Adam. You need to understand this, however, I have no plans of losing her period.”

  His brother’s sigh was easily heard across the line. “Okay. Dinner at mom’s tonight. She won’t take no for an answer. If you don’t come, we won’t be able to hold her away from your house. She needs her family.”

  “We’ll be there.” He ended the connection and slid the phone back across the countertop.

  With the breakfast he’d made on the tray, Wild walked carefully back through his house to the bedroom. Alyse still slept.

  He set the tray down on the nightstand then bent over and placed small kisses along her spine, moving up her back toward her neck.

  She stirred and moaned. “Mmm, tell me it’s not morning already.”

  He nuzzled her neck and moved the pillow from her head. “Sorry, can’t do that. Come on, I have breakfast for you.”

  “Food?”

  “Yes. Sustenance. Fresh. Hot. Sit up.”

  She yawned and rolled over, drawing the sheet up her chest. He kissed her lips. “I’ve seen all you have to offer, baby, not sure why you feel the need to cover up.”

  Alyse shook her head. “To early for your lippiness, Wild. Feed me.”

  He gave her the tray and grabbed a pair of sweats for himself then climbed back on the bed to settle beside her.

  “This is delicious, thank you.”

  He didn’t respond, just stared at her. With one hand, he tucked some hair behind her ear then traced along the shell to her stud earring she wore. Only one piercing in her ears. She always had studs in. Her belly button piercing normally had a dangle. Professional shell, wild woman beneath. Perfect.

  “We need to talk, Alyse.”

  “So talk.”

  She cut the pancakes he’d stacked and took a good bite. The fact she had no problem eating in front of him made him happy as well.