by Susan Stoker
His cock hardened. It knew sex with her would be good. It was a basic animal need, that’s all.
Even as the possibility enticed his body, Julie clung hard to his heart.
Everything feminine, sweet, innocent and loyal was embodied in his late wife. She would have made an amazing mother. They were supposed to grow old together and teach their grandchildren how to ride.
Doubt crept through his dreams of what should have been. Could they have found that peace after he came home the second time?
He stood three feet from his door and stared at the drawing fluttering slightly as the temperature started to change and sent small disturbances through the air. It had been hard returning after the first tour. It had taken him almost six months to readjust to being around Julie after seeing the horrors that were the reality on the other side of the globe.
This tour had been far worse. If she hadn’t been in the accident, could they have had the future they’d dreamed of, or had he already killed it and didn’t know it? Was her accident and subsequent death a blessing in disguise?
“No.” He grabbed the paper and ripped it down. Julie deserved to live and in death continued to be an angel.
Unlocking his door, he strode in, ready to boot Adriana out. What right did she have to come into his space? Into his head?
He didn’t turn on the light as he silently let himself in. Instead, he used his flashlight. Maybe if he scared her, she’d get the message.
He assumed she’d be in his bedroom and headed that way when he caught sight of her on the couch. She was asleep, curled up to fit on the love seat.
He moved the light to reflect off the title floor. Even in sleep the woman looked sexy, as if she beckoned him to enjoy her charms.
Had she always had this aggressive sexual demeanor? What would that have been like when she was a teenager? Did men approach her? Even as his gut answered yes, his mind rebelled at what might have occurred. Were all women jealous of her like the guest wife? How did she make female friends? Or did she?
Better yet, why should he care? Fuck.
He turned off the flashlight and strode into his room. He shouldn’t be thinking of Adriana and what her life was like. The woman wanted sex and a lot of it and right now she happened to want him.
She had a past. Who didn’t, but she was just a coworker. Nothing more.
Stripping, he threw his clothes on the bench at the end of his bed and lay down. He needed to stop thinking of having sex with her. It wasn’t going to happen. He was at Poker Flat to protect the staff, not fuck them. He wasn’t going to start screwing up Adriana’s life too.
Closing his eyes, he rolled onto his side, focused on the image of the last sunset and took deep, even breaths.
Eventually, he drifted off…and the dreams began.
“Sargent Hunter. Please come with me.”
“But my wife will be waiting for me.”
The corporal refused to meet his eyes.
They had to let him see Julie. It had been over a year since he’d been home, but his training wouldn’t be denied and he followed the corporal away from the terminal exit and into an airline lounge.
“Major Swanson will be right out.” The corporal disappeared.
He looked at his phone. Julie knew he’d arrived in Phoenix. She’d be anxiously watching every passenger from his plane, her eyes lighting when a uniform walked out of the A gates and into the main terminal only to be disappointed when it wasn’t him.
Hunter glanced at the door he’d just come through. Whatever it was, the Army could wait. They knew where to find him. He stepped toward the exit when the door opened and a major he’d never met before walked in. He stood at attention and saluted.
“At ease, sergeant. I know you are anxious to see your wife, but she’s not here. We have a car waiting to take you to Van Buren Memorial Hospital where she’s receiving the best care possible.”
“What? What are you talking about? I just talked to my wife when I changed planes in Chicago. I think you have me mixed up with someone else.”
The major studied him. “Your wife is Julie McKade, isn’t she?”
His heart tripped, making it hard to breathe as a wave of fear froze his blood. “Yes.”
The major put his hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, son.” His mind refused to listen. “There was an accident…a tractor trailer…drunk driver…coma…” The words blurred as pain ricocheted through him.
“No.” He shook his head. “No. No. No!” he lashed out, fighting off the major and others as they tried to restrain him. No. Not Julie, his life, his love, his reason for making it home.
The scent of sage and linen filled his nostrils, softening the edges of his dream. The harsh lines of glass and steel rounded into saguaro cacti and mesquite trees. Warmth, not cold, recycled air, permeated his back and the image of an old withered male face was replaced with laughing brown eyes and enticing lips. Silky soft hair brushed against his shoulder, soothing the tension in his muscles.
Gentle arms wrapped around him, held him tight. He sank into the peace that filled his senses, luxuriating in it like the warm therapy tub he’d used to recover in, letting it seep into every part of his being. He greedily took it in, his soul thirsty for comfort and relief.
*
Adriana held on to Hunter until his breathing returned to normal and the steel-hard tension of his body finally relaxed. Then she continued to hold him, still baffled by her own actions.
When his yell woke her, she was disoriented, having forgotten where she was for a moment. At first her ego kicked her hard for being somewhere she wasn’t wanted, just before she started scolding herself for falling asleep. But when another yell and an agonized groan came from Hunter’s bedroom, she was compelled to check on him.
Whatever the dream was about, it was a bad one. A faded memory from her childhood pushed its way past her blockade, forcing her to acknowledge a time when her beautiful but spineless mother had eased her fear by cocooning her in bed.
Hoping it would help, she crawled onto Hunter’s bed, still clothed, of all things, and held on to him, pressing herself against his back, her arm wrapped around his waist. He started to calm immediately, which made her feel inordinately pleased with herself.
Damn, she’d never been in bed with a man this long and remained fully clothed. Though she’d usually view that as a failure on her part, she didn’t feel that way at all. She felt good that she’d been able to help him calm down. Maybe she’d scared the nightmare away.
She liked that idea. Adriana. Nightmare Slayer. She silently chuckled. Looked like she had another talent she could add to her list.
Hunter’s breathing grew deep, as if he hadn’t truly slept in months. Maybe sleeping during the day didn’t agree with him. She glanced toward the window where the blinds were closed tight. Still, she could see the sun had risen over the high ground and light would soon be beating down on the resort within the old ravine.
She was loath to leave his side. She liked holding him. There was more male in his body than in any three she’d slept with since coming to Poker Flat. She’d never comforted a man before. She’d given out her fair share of hugs at Mrs. B’s, especially to Lynzie. That poor girl had wanted a child so bad and every time she didn’t conceive, it was another bout of tears.
But a man? Men didn’t need comfort. They just bulldozed their way through life like they pounded themselves between her legs. Even her father, while lying in a puddle of blood, still managed to shoot off his gun, refusing to admit he was dying.
She blinked at the memory and shoved it aside. Hunter’s past was slowly becoming an addiction and without any work to occupy her, she needed to figure it out or go crazy.
Slowly, she lifted her arm and forced herself to move away. She stood and stared at the naked man who had been her fantasy. His back was a mass of muscles with definition standing out even in their resting position. His hard white ass appeared sculpted from marble and the backs of his thighs held
shadowed lines, emphasizing how taut they were.
But below his thighs his perfection ended. Scars were everywhere, as if he’s been on the barrel end of a shotgun. The other place he had his fair share of scars was the back and top of his head. No wonder the man wore his hair so short and kept his cowboy hat on all the time. It looked like Picasso had etched a painting on his head. Another puzzle piece.
He lay on his left side, but his right arm had a few tattoos. She loved tattoos. Had one herself. One of Hunter’s tattoos was a name. Beyond curious, she leaned on the bed and looked at it closer. It was a name.
Julie.
Hmm, ex-wife or girlfriend? He definitely hadn’t had any woman with him at Poker Flat and since he lived in his casita, that meant he was single. She stood straight again. Perfect. That meant he was definitely for the taking.
But not now. As much as she wanted to ride him like a cowgirl should, his deep sleep, which she took complete credit for, wasn’t something she wanted to disturb. Maybe this evening before he had to go to work.
Quietly, she left the room and headed for the door, still baffled that she was letting a hunky naked man sleep. She grabbed up her cowboy hat and stilled. Did he not want to have sex because she was asleep or because he wasn’t interested?
She shook her head. What was she thinking? Of course he was interested. He was just being a cowboy. Too damn polite. Opening the front door, she looked back toward his room and blew him a kiss. “Later, cowboy.” She closed the door quietly and turned.
Lacey stood there staring at her with wide eyes, a to-go package in her hands.
She put her hand out to stop her friend. “He’s sleeping. Don’t disturb him.”
Lacey’s brow furrowed. “I wasn’t looking for Hunter. I was looking for you.”
“You found me.” She grinned. “Oh, is that for me? If it is, I love you and will forever.” She strode toward Lacey, smelling the air as she moved closer.
Lacey glanced back at Hunter’s casita, so Adriana took advantage of her distraction and took the package from her before heading for her own place.
“Adriana, wait.”
“Uh-uh, this feels warm and smells like one of Selma’s breakfast burritos. I’m not waiting for anyone.”
Lacey caught up with her just as she unlocked her door.
“I hope this was meant for me because if this was yours, you’re going to have to get another.” Selma rarely allowed staff to take to-go boxes because she felt strongly that they should “break bread” together.
Lacey followed her inside. “No, that was for you. I was hoping to cheer you up, but it appears you are already pretty happy with yourself.”
At the perturbed tone in her friend’s voice, she paused halfway through opening the container on her kitchen counter. “What? Because I was at Hunter’s? There’s no policy saying staff can’t have sex with each other.”
Having put that to rest, she pulled a fork from the drawer and dug into the spicy egg concoction.
“It’s not always about policy, Adriana. Sometimes it’s about being sensitive to others.”
She stilled, the food an inch from her mouth. “What do you mean, sensitive?”
Lacey dropped onto a stool across from her. “Like having a little compassion. Geeze, the man just lost his wife a little over a year ago. I doubt he’s in any shape to have a relationship.”
His wife died? She put down her fork, the food untouched. Multiple feelings swirled through her, none of them good. “Who said I wanted a relationship? You know me better than that.”
“That’s just the thing. I doubt the guy wants just sex. How must he feel?”
A knot formed in her stomach. “He’s a man. If he lost his wife I’ll bet some meaningless sex is just what he needs.”
Lacey clasped her hands in front of her, a sure sign she was really bothered.
“Listen, hon, don’t worry. I didn’t have sex with Hunter. I just cuddled with him a bit, which helped him sleep.”
Lacey’s eyes grew wide. “Don’t lie to me. I’m not stupid and you don’t have to protect me. I thought you realized that last time we went lingerie shopping together.”
She couldn’t help her grin. It had been fun watching her sweet friend try on some wild lingerie, Lacey’s one fetish, but the questions from Whisper, Lacey’s friend, had Adriana laughing out loud even while relating the stories to guests weeks later.
“Lacey, I’m not lying to you. I’d never do that with you. The fact is, I went over to Hunter’s to seduce him but fell asleep and believe it or not, he didn’t wake me up.” She didn’t feel the need to tell Lacey about the nightmare he’d had. “When I woke, I cuddled with him for a while. But he was in such a deep sleep, I didn’t have the heart to wake him.”
Lacey studied her. “I’m sorry. It was just a little hard to believe.”
“I know. I’m still shocked myself.” She winked then dipped her fork into her breakfast again.
“I feel so bad for him.” Lacey paused to watch her take her first mouthful and moan. “You know, I didn’t care for him at first, but when Kendra hired him, I knew there must be a reason.”
Lacey may not let her see Hunter’s profile, but it appeared she was open to talking about him. “You mean in addition to the fact he does a damn good job and moves around this resort so quietly even the desert mice don’t realize he’s there?”
Lacey smiled. “Yeah, there is that.”
She took another bite of her breakfast, trying to appear casual when her stomach was so tight, she questioned whether she should be eating at all. “So what’s his story? I mean, everyone here is on their second chance.”
Lacey clasped her hands. “I think for him it is more just being able to function in civilian life. He went back to the police department, but things didn’t exactly work out. I think Dale tried to place him at a number of jobs, but as far as I know, this is the longest one he’s been at.”
She nodded as if she understood. Anything to keep Lacey talking.
“He has all kinds of medals from his service to our country, but to come home and find his wife was on life support must have been devastating.”
Adriana felt the mouthful of egg she just swallowed stick halfway down to her stomach. Crap. He must have been a mess. He had to have really loved his wife to have her name tattooed on his arm.
Love was something she knew nothing about and stayed very far away from.
The problem was, the more she learned about him, the more she wanted to know. But she was about sex, keeping it nice and clean. Maybe that’s why he didn’t take her up on her offer. He didn’t think he could have sex because she might want more.
“Adriana, what are you thinking?”
She shrugged. “I’m thinking maybe I can offer him exactly what he needs. A warm body to sink into and forget about his woes for a while. Just sex.”
“I don’t think he’s wired that way.” Lacey cocked her head, her look doubtful.
“Lacey, war changes people. All that blood and guts and killing.” She shivered just from saying the word blood out loud. “He may need a little hot sex to escape his misery and his celibacy.” She wiggled her brows.
Lacey moved off the stool. “You two are adults. You certainly don’t need me looking over your shoulder.”
“If—”
Lacey raised her hand. “No, I don’t want to watch. Cole is all I need, thank you.”
“And a little lingerie.” She winked. “What are you wearing today?”
Lacey used to blush around her, but she’d become more comfortable with the teasing. “The open nipple bra and crotchless panties. I’ll put the three-way clips on once I get home. Cole would kill me if I wore those to work.”
Adriana laughed. “I’m so proud of you. Just wait until you do wear a toy or two to work. You won’t be able to wait for Cole to strip.”
Lacey shook her head even as she moved to the door. “Nope. Toys aren’t my main thing, but some accessories now and then really hea
t things up for Cole.”
“Honey, what do you expect? The man is a freakin’ firefighter.”
Lacey laughed and let herself out.
The casita became too quiet and Adriana turned on the television to add some noise. Lacey had spilled a lot more about Hunter than expected, but then again, the easiest way to get Lacey to talk was to get her concerned about someone.
Adriana snorted. That Lacey felt the need to protect Hunter, a veteran, a former police officer, from her was silly. Hunter could take care of himself and if she had her way, he’d take care of her too, no strings attached, unless of course there were nipple clips at the end.
Chapter Six
‡
Hunter woke before the alarm. No surprise there, but something was wrong. The buzz next to his bed explained why he woke. Picking up his phone, he answered. “Hunter.”
“I need you to come to my office right now.” Kendra sounded furious. “We have a fucking security issue that could put this place under.”
“Be there in two.” He hung up and grabbed a clean pair of jeans. He felt strangely well-rested despite the fact the sun hadn’t set yet.
In two minutes, he was dressed and headed out the door, a mint in his mouth and a gun tucked into his pants. He strode straight to Kendra’s office, scanning the resort for trouble.
Maybe someone had stolen Adriana’s car after all, or maybe many cars. He glanced up at the garage but didn’t see any police lights, so he pulled the glass door of the main building open and headed for the employee hallway. Lacey was already gone and the front desk was left in muted lighting. Guests knew to call the service line and whoever had duty, usually Kendra or Wade, helped them out.
Kendra’s office door was closed so he knocked before he opened it and walked in.
Kendra and Wade were staring at her computer screen.
Wade glanced up. “Hunter. Come look at this.”
He stepped behind the desk and Wade moved over so he could see. On the screen was a picture of a man. His face was clear, but from the neck down it had been purposefully blurred. Still, he could make out it was an older man with a bit of belly lounging by the pool at the resort. “What am I looking at?”