Surviving With Love

by Vickery, Rebecca J.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Cord slapped him gently on the back. “And I don’t know what I would do in your shoes either. It’s a tough call.”

  “You should all talk it over. If you decide to call the authorities, you know you can stay here as long as you need to. Whatever you decide, we’re behind you.” Stacey knew she was speaking for Sam and Lucy, as well as herself.

  “Thanks. You’ve all been great. Cord, whatever your fees, I’ll pay them. Just let me...”

  Cord interrupted, “Let’s don’t worry about that. This was for Marcus. He’s quite a guy. I think they’re about to leave without you,” Cord gestured to where Cathy and the twins were getting up from the table.

  Morris hurried over to help Cathy take Marcus and Marie upstairs to their room for some quiet time together. Cathy acted like a mother hen with new chicks. This had scarred her as well as the twins and it would be hard for her to let the children out of her sight for a long time without imagining the worst.

  Stacey turned to the large man beside her to ask quietly, “Are you going to stay?”

  “I’d like to. Is there somewhere Junior can sleep for the night? He looks really beat.”

  Lucy walked up and heard the last part of their conversation. “Well of course he’s welcome to stay. Why don’t you let him have the small room upstairs we saved for you and you stay at the house with us, Cord? It’s the perfect solution.”

  “Okay with you, Stacey?” Cord asked.

  “That’s what I was about to suggest. I want you to stay with us. Which room at the house, mom?”

  “Either guest room is fine.” Lucy talked as she walked toward the lobby and they followed to hear what she said. “Let Cord choose. Be sure he has lots of towels and get him some of your dad’s clothes if he needs them. They’re close enough to the same size. Please, make yourself at home, Cord. Ask for anything you need. We’ll expect you to join us in the dining room here at eight. I’ve got to call Walter—one of the sinks in the kitchen is stopped up.” Lucy bustled behind the front counter and dialed as she took out the key for the pilot’s room and laid it on the desktop. “See you later,” she told them then spoke into the phone.

  Cord and Stacey returned to the dining room and told Junior which room he would use for the night. They walked up with him and Cord went in to talk a few minutes.

  Stacey walked down the hall and tapped on Cathy’s door. “I just wanted to make sure you have everything you need and that Marcus is okay.”

  Cathy grabbed her, hugging her hard. “Oh, Stacey, I don’t know what I would have done if I had—if you hadn’t...”

  “But you didn’t lose him so stop thinking about it. He’s here, he’s safe and unhurt. Everything’s okay,” Stacey comforted her friend.

  “Thank you so much. I will never forget what you did for us.” Cathy let her go as Cord came to join them. Then Cathy surprised them all by reaching up to kiss Cord’s scarred face. “You are a very special man. Thank you for all you’ve done. You’re welcome in our home anytime, for as long as you’ll stay.”

  “I might have known I’d find you kissing another man,” Morris teased and reached to hug Stacey. “I’ll teach you, woman.” He gave Stacey a quick kiss and let her go to shake Cord’s hand warmly. “We’d like for you to call whoever needs to know about all of this. We want those men caught and punished. The twins insist the bad guys have to go to jail. We’ll stay here for a while, until we’re sure it’s safe. Cathy wants to work and I can fly in and out for my shifts.” Morris slid his arm around his wife’s shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze.

  “That sounds like a good plan. The kids can study by radio and there will always be someone with them. I’ll help all I can,” Stacey promised.

  “What about you, Cord? Any plans?” Cathy asked and glanced at Stacey with raised brows.

  “I’m not sure yet. I have to check my messages in the morning before I decide. The Parkers invited me to stay a few days and I might take them up on it if there’s nothing urgent to be taken care of.”

  “Well, if you don’t need anything, I should show Cord to his room and get ready for dinner,” Stacey told them.

  “We’re fine. We’re going to have a quiet supper up here. The twins have had enough excitement to last for a long while.”

  “Family time is probably the best medicine for all of you. Call if you need anything, Cathy.”

  Cord took Stacey’s hand and led her downstairs and out the rear door toward the house. “Show me where I’ll be sleeping, Parker. I need a shower before we eat with your parents.”

  After making a call to his contact with the FBI and filling him in on what happened, Cord chose the guestroom across from Stacey’s bedroom. He waited while she brought extra towels then he headed for the shower while she raided her father’s closet. After enjoying a long hot shower, he found a hunter green knit shirt, faded jeans, a new pair of briefs, and a pair of socks waiting on the bed. They fit fairly well and were soft and comfortable. He stretched out on the bed to rest a few minutes and wait for Stacey.

  Deciding she wanted to look different tonight, Stacey picked over her wardrobe to find something casual, but attractive. She showered and used her favorite peach scented shampoo to wash her hair. Convincing Cord to stay was an important step for her. They needed time together without the stress and constant pressure they faced since they first met.

  Just thinking of Cord’s kisses made her shiver under the warm water. If he was still determined they had no future, she wasn’t sure what she would do. Stacey felt certain he was her special man. The one I’ve been waiting for. He should be her first lover. But she didn’t think she could bear to make love with him then watch him walk away. It’s not supposed to happen that way.

  Finally, reaching the conclusion that she would enjoy the evening and let tomorrow take care of itself, she dried her hair and dressed carefully. Light makeup and a quick spray of peach scented perfume and she was ready.

  Leaving her room, she saw Cord lying, fully dressed, on the bed in the guestroom. He appeared to be asleep. A short strand of dark hair fell onto his forehead and he looked younger, less in control. She crept in and placed a gentle kiss on his lips to wake him.

  He whispered her name, put his hand behind her head then drew her down for a long deep kiss. She smelled like a ripe peach and he was ready for a taste. Opening his eyes as he came awake and let her go, Cord looked slowly down the length of the beautiful young woman standing by his bed. Her strawberry blond curls tumbled loosely around her face and shoulders. A light blue blouse with the top buttons open to reveal a little shadowy cleavage was tucked into a slim fitting navy skirt reaching almost to her knees. As she backed away to allow him space to get up, he saw strappy high-heeled shoes and gorgeous legs covered in nylon.

  Cord wanted nothing more than to pull her down on the bed and peel off the outer layers to see what she wore underneath. Instead he rolled to his side and got up. Reaching for her hand, Cord kissed her palm gently. “You are a very beautiful woman, Stacey Parker. You always manage to surprise me.” He touched her hair and played with a strand of curls. “I love your hair this way—like you—wild and free,” he whispered then Cord kissed her again.

  As he lifted his head, she brushed the hair from his forehead. It was longer than when she first met him. Then she gently traced the scars on his face. “You got both of these for a child, didn’t you?”

  “What makes you think that, Stacey?”

  “Women’s intuition,” she offered and smiled as he looped his arms around her waist. “Will you tell me someday?”

  “Maybe someday, I will. I’m hungry. Is it time to eat?”

  “I think you should put some shoes on first,” Stacey looked pointedly down at his sock-covered toes.

  “See what you do to me, Parker.” Cord sat on the edge of the bed to pull on the leather deck shoes she brought for him to try. Only a little snug, they would do for dinner.

  Stacey grabbed his hand and led the w
ay to the dining room to join her parents.

  The meal was progressing well when Sam turned to Cord and asked “What do you do exactly, Cord?”

  “I find and retrieve people,” Cord kept it brief.

  “Sort of like Stacey, then?” Lucy asked curiously.

  “Not exactly, mom,” Stacey joined in. “Cord works in foreign countries a lot and his job is much more dangerous than mine.”

  “Actually Lucy, most cases aren’t really that bad. I spend a lot of time waiting and assisting in negotiating terms and conditions for someone’s release. The problem occurs when negotiations fall through and we need to extract a hostage by force. I always prefer not to, but I can when it’s necessary.”

  “How did you learn to do that? Were you in the military?” Lucy wanted to know. She needed to know everything she could about this man her daughter was in love with.

  “Yes, ma’am. I started out in the military then was transferred to a special unit. I was a bodyguard for a while after the service and now I recover people.”

  “Cord, that’s fascinating. What does your family think of all this?”

  “Mom...” Stacey protested, but Cord shook his head and covered her hand on the table with his.

  “I was raised in foster care, Lucy.”

  “Well, I never would have guessed. You definitely seem like a family oriented person. Sam, I hate to break this up but we promised to put in an appearance in the sitting area. Would you two like to join us for coffee or drinks?”

  “I think Cord and I will take our brandy out to the deck, if you don’t mind,” Stacey looked at him and he squeezed her hand.

  Sam poured them a small serving of brandy and heated it over a candle flame.

  Cord accepted the glasses carefully and followed Stacey out to the deck. A young couple was cuddling on a lounger in the corner. Stacey led him to the opposite end and scooted onto the top rail.

  Cord leaned slightly against her with his elbows propped on the rail staring up at the dark mountain. He sipped the brandy and enjoyed being outside. While her parents were extremely nice he still felt like the bug under a microscope when the questioning began.

  After a while Stacey felt Cord straighten and turn toward her. He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned forward to whisper into it, “What would you do if I kissed you right now, Parker?”

  Stacey giggled softly and watched as he swirled then finished off his drink. He looked so sexy. “Well, McConnell, I guess I’d kiss you right back before I screamed for help,” she taunted.

  Cord chuckled and put his glass at arm’s length on the rail. Then he crowded against Stacey’s legs and took her glass to put beside his. Cupping her face with both hands, he kissed her. His mouth was moist from the brandy as his tongue sought hers hungrily. Stepping even closer, he slid his hands down her neck and over her shoulders, finally wrapping his arms around her.

  He nibbled and licked at her lips while stroking her back and upper hips. Her breath and taste were of hot brandy and it set him on fire. Cord nibbled his way down the edge of her jaw stopping to tease the graceful curve of her neck with gentle butterfly kisses.

  Stacey snuggled into him and dropped her head on his shoulder. Enjoying his attentions and the feel, smell and very essence of him as she had decided she would. A little tipsy from the brandy on top of the dinner wine, she knew it would be easy to let him seduce her tonight. Cord was definitely experienced, but she didn’t think he’d ever been in love. Feeling brave, she decided to find out. “Cord?”

  “Mm-hmm?” he murmured against her ear as he held her close.

  “Have you ever been in love?”

  “No, have you?” Cord nibbled her ear lobe.

  She quivered as he breathed in her ear then answered, “No, I don’t think so. How would you know if you were?” Stacey turned her head and kissed his strong neck hoping it felt as good to him as it did to her.

  Cord groaned, “I’m not sure I would.” He kissed each of her eyelids wanting her to hush and let him kiss her properly.

  “I think maybe it would be when I couldn’t be happy without him near me.” Stacey nipped his lower jaw then soothed it with the tip of her tongue.

  He caught his breath. She did learn fast.

  “I agree with that,” he whispered and returned to her mouth to kiss her thoroughly. His fingers slid another button from its buttonhole on the front of her blouse.

  “And you want that person’s happiness more than your own,” she breathed into his mouth before he kissed her again.

  “I think so,” he agreed again and kissed her slowly and deeply. He stroked the tops of her breasts with the backs of his fingers.

  “You could die from wanting them so badly,” she returned his kiss as he went about teaching her just that kind of desire.

  “Yes, Stacey,” he slid his hand to the tip of her breast and she didn’t complain.

  “Would you leave tomorrow if I told you I feel all those things for you?” she asked softly.

  Cord’s hand stilled and he moved back slightly to look into her eyes. They were warm, languid blue pools. If he asked her right now she would sleep with him. Her lips were moist and swollen from his kisses and he was oh so very tempted. “I don’t know anymore. You confuse the devil out of me, Stacey.” Cord took another step back from her. The other couple had left, he saw. They were now alone on the deck. Taking her hand he pulled her gently from the rail to lead her to a large patio chair. He sat down, drawing her onto his lap to cuddle her close.

  “I used to always want a family. When I was a small boy, after my mom dumped me, I prayed for one every night. As I got older I was large and clumsy, never fit in. Then I found my place and was trained to be a soldier, a hunter, and a protector. I had a job where I belonged. There were people who were proud of me. I finally became proud of who I was. What I had been didn’t matter anymore. That’s been my life for twenty years. It took the place of the family I wanted, but couldn’t have. I thought I was past the need for a family, but you’ve made me think about those things again. The same things I gave up on years ago.” He talked softly and stroked her wild hair as she settled quietly against his chest.

  “You are so different from any woman I’ve ever been around. You’re still young in so many ways. I’m not sure I’m ready for the kind of life you deserve. I told you how I live, Stacey. I don’t know if I can give it up, but I don’t know if I can leave you again either,” he confessed and tilted her face to give her a soft, sweet kiss.

  “I’m sorry Cord. I wanted to tell you how I feel in case you have to leave. I’m just trying to be honest with you. If you can’t love me back, it won’t change how I feel about you. I’m trying to give you my love and I haven’t put a price on it. Try to enjoy it and don’t worry about having to do anything about it. If all we ever have is this time, then I’ll survive. I’m stronger than I look. Right now, I don’t expect anything more than this.” She touched his face lovingly with her fingertips then snuggled back down against him.

  After several minutes passed, he whispered hoarsely, “Come with me to Dallas or New York, wherever you prefer. I want to make love to you, to spend time with you. Be with me for as long as it lasts, Stacey.” Cord offered as much as he could to entice her to be with him.

  She raised her head and looked into his eyes. “Please stay a few days. If we still feel the same, I’ll go with you when you leave. I want you to see how it can be. Mostly, I want to be sure you really want me with you.”

  “If I can, I’ll stay. And when I leave, you’ll come with me?” He gazed into her eyes as he waited for her answer.

  Stacey nodded and he kissed her almost senseless. They necked and touched each other until he reached the edge of losing control and she moaned breathlessly.

  “Parker, that’s enough,” he grumbled and shifted her away from his body. “You’ve tortured me all I can stand tonight. Go home and lock yourself in your room. Better yet, go home and lock yourself in your parent’s ro
om.” He forced her to stand and gently pushed her away.

  She chuckled softly and stood on tiptoe to give him a quick kiss before racing down the steps and along the walkway.

  After she disappeared into the trees, Cord stood and stretched his achy body. He carried their glasses into the lodge with him and set them on a table. He found a few guests still lingering in the dimly lit sitting area. Preferring to be alone, Cord turned and went back to the deck to cool off a little more and to give Stacey time to get safely to bed.

  The door to the Parker home was unlocked, the TV still playing in the family room. Cord went in and saw Sam sitting in the large recliner across from the set. “I hope I didn’t keep you up,” Cord told him.

  “No, you didn’t. I was waiting for the news and I dozed off. If you hadn’t come in I would have been here most of the night.” Sam pushed the footrest down. “I guess I’ll go on to bed. Have a good night’s rest. It’s good to have you here,” he patted Cord on the shoulder as he went by. “I’ll lock up on the way if you’ll cut off the tube before you come up.”

  “Sure thing, Sam. I need to catch the news then I’ll be heading to bed too. It’s been a long day.” Cord used the remote to find the National News Channel. There was nothing earth shattering and he switched off the TV. He rubbed his face wearily as he reached for the phone. Using his special number and codes he checked his messages.

  The kidnapping of an ambassador’s son had occurred a few days previously in a Middle-Eastern country and things weren’t going well. A number Cord recognized prompted him to call for the details. For the first time in a long while he wanted to ignore a call involving a child to spend time with a woman. Reaching his government contact, Cord was told the situation improved slightly and negotiations were on again. They still wanted Cord on hand for an extraction if things fell apart.

  After discussing arrangements and how quickly he could be there, Cord told his contact he would remain at his present location, but would fly out immediately if a change required his expertise. Following a brief argument, the contact had no choice but to accept his decision. Every couple of hours throughout the night, Cord called to check his messages. He hoped the boy’s safe release could be arranged and he wouldn’t be needed.