Catalyst: Flashpoint #2

by Grant, Rachel

  That made sense. His hands relaxed their grip. “I have an apartment near Fort Campbell. You’re welcome to use it.”

  She smiled, but he couldn’t help but see the flicker of distress as she slipped from his arms and moved to the center of the room. “I thought…we were on the same page? I don’t do relationships, and neither do you.”

  This was the first time he’d ever been on the receiving end of the relationship talk. And he didn’t like it. He cocked his head. “I also don’t get involved with women I meet on missions. Nothing is normal here.”

  “True. I just…Right now is all I can handle.”

  “Works for me.” Right this moment, he wanted Brie naked in his bed. Right now was all that mattered.

  A sharp knock sounded on the door. He stepped back and said, “Come in.”

  Brie’s eyes widened. “Wait—”

  The door opened, and their doctor stepped in. She raised an eyebrow at Bastian, her eyes lit with curiosity. Then her nostrils flared, and he had the distinct feeling she was holding back a snicker. “Sorry, I didn’t know you were here, Chief Ford.” She turned to Brie. “Ms. Stewart, I’m here to discuss your discharge tomorrow.”

  Brie covered her mouth, and a stifled laugh escaped. She cleared her throat, but he could still hear the laughter in her voice. “Glad to know I’m being sprung.”

  “I’ll leave you to it,” Bastian said as he slipped through the open door.

  “I’ll be in to see you next, Chief Ford,” the doctor said. “You’re also being released.” Then the doctor did snicker. “It’s good to see you’re feeling better, but keep in mind all strenuous activity should be avoided until symptoms abate.”

  It wasn’t until he was back in his room and saw his reflection in a mirror that he understood why both Brie and the doctor had been laughing.

  Deep red lipstick smeared his neck and cheek.

  Bastian didn’t return to Brie’s room that evening, which was probably for the best considering the doctor’s dire warnings about strenuous activity exacerbating his concussion. She did say that Brie’s bullet wound was healing nicely, and, as long as she was careful, she didn’t see any issues from sex.

  She’d fixed Brie with a knowing smile and said, “Just don’t get too creative.” She frowned and added, “And use a condom.”

  “Do you know something I don’t?”

  The doctor laughed and said, “No. Just an advocate for safe sex.” She’d then left the room and returned with a box of condoms.

  After that, a physical therapist had met with Brie and showed her exercises she needed to do to rebuild strength in the mending muscle.

  She wasn’t ready for some of the moves yet, and a physical therapist on the base would check in with her in the coming days to guide her. For tonight, she was sore and tired. It had been a long and active day after being inactive for so long.

  She crawled into her hospital bed, wishing Bastian would join her, even though the bed was too small and he snored. Even crappy sleep with Bastian was better than no Bastian.

  Maybe she should reconsider her relationship ban.

  Ahhh, but her situation was complicated, her family a wildcard. And now that she’d lost her anonymity, it was best to only think in the here and now.

  A soft knock of warning was followed by Bastian slipping into her room and closing the door.

  She turned on the light. “What’s up?”

  He smiled. “Get dressed.”

  “Why?”

  “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

  She winced as her foot touched the floor. Bastian was by her side in a second. “You’re hurting? We can skip this.”

  “I’m fine. Just had PT tonight, so I’m sore.”

  He waited in the hall while she changed. Ready, she stepped out of the room, and he offered his arm. She held him with one hand and her cane in the other as he led her out of her room, down the corridor, and out of the medical facility altogether.

  “Is this even allowed?”

  He grinned. “It is when you know the right people.” He led her to the ramp she’d used to reach the flight deck earlier in the day.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.”

  She paused as they neared the outer door. “The flight deck is restricted.”

  “Relax. You won’t get in trouble.”

  “But you will.”

  “Sweetheart, I’m Special Forces.”

  As if that answered everything.

  But instead of leading her outside, he bypassed the exit and climbed a steep, narrow staircase she hadn’t noticed before. Bastian helped her as she took the stairs slowly. “You ever see a jet take off from an aircraft carrier at night?” he asked.

  She laughed. “Pretty sure that’s a no.”

  They reached the top of the stairs, and he pushed open a door that led to a small open platform that overlooked the flight deck. Before stepping outside, Bastian grabbed headphones that hung on hooks just inside the door.

  She stepped outside, crossed to the railing, and looked down on the operations going on below. Wind whipped around them and a cacophony of sounds rose from the massive deck.

  “These aren’t radios, ear protection only,” Bastian shouted to be heard over the noise. He placed the earmuffs over her ears. Unable to speak because of the noise and headphones, Bree held Bastian’s hand as the deck crew worked in a magnificent choreography.

  A jet was moved into position. Takeoff was like an explosion she felt in her legs, her chest, her fingertips.

  Her heart pounded with exhilaration. Who knew this could be such an adrenaline rush?

  She turned to the man at her side and pulled his head down for a deep kiss.

  After a long moment, he lifted his head. He leaned down and pulled aside her headphone and said with laughter in his voice, “Good thing I’m not in uniform. PDAs in uniform would get me in trouble.”

  She pulled aside his ear protector. “But not sneaking me onto the observation deck during flight operations?”

  He winked at her. “I cleared it with command.”

  She grinned. “Badass Special Forces maverick is not so maverick after all?”

  “But I’m still badass.”

  She laughed and covered her ears again. Another jet was being positioned for takeoff.

  They watched two more launches, then stepped back inside. After descending the stairs, Brie squeezed Bastian’s hand. “Thank you. That was cool.”

  “It was for me too. I’m not on carriers often.”

  They returned to the medical wing, and Bastian paused outside her door. “This is where we say good night.”

  “You won’t…?”

  “Good night, Brie.” He kissed her on the forehead and returned to his room.

  Brie watched him go, then slipped into her room. She was too pumped to sleep, but with nothing else to do, she put on the scrubs she’d been wearing as pajamas earlier and crawled between the covers. Tomorrow would probably be a long day with transport to the base, and tonight’s PT had shown her how easily she tired.

  She closed her eyes, remembering the feel of the rush of the jet engine, the rumble of the deck under her feet. The jet took off into the starry night. And Bastian held her hand, his fingers entwined with hers.

  She was wide-awake. And aroused.

  She threw the bedcovers aside.

  They’d been circling each other since their second night in South Sudan. She wanted him, and there was zero reason not to go for it now.

  She paused. Except his concussion. The doctor seemed concerned. And his head had hurt this morning. But massage had helped. If his head was bothering him, she’d give him another massage and leave.

  She pulled on a robe and slipped the box of condoms the doctor had given her into her pocket. Just in case. Cane in hand, she headed down the hall to Bastian’s room.

  24

  Anticipation coiled in Bastian’s belly at the sound of footsteps outside his door.
<
br />   It’s about time.

  He’d started to wonder if he’d read her wrong. But then the knob turned, and there she was, the beautiful woman who’d consumed his world for nearly two weeks.

  She closed his door and leaned back against the panel. Her mouth curved in a slow, sexy smile. “You aren’t surprised to see me.”

  “No.” He rose from his chair and crossed the tiny room to stand before her. “Not surprised.” He cupped her jaw with one hand and ran his thumb along her cheekbone. “Thankful. Exultant. Hard.”

  She rubbed his erection over his sweatpants. “Yes, you are.” She slid her hand under the waistband and wrapped her fingers around his penis. Her eyes were liquid hot as she stroked his shaft. “It has taken way too long for me to get here.” Her emphasis on the last word was punctuated by rubbing her thumb over the tip of his cock, followed by a slow stroke down his length.

  Damn, that felt amazing. “Well, you were shot.” He groaned at another slide of her hand. “I was being considerate.”

  Her lips brushed his, and she said, “Promise you’ll never waste time being considerate again.” She slipped her tongue in his mouth before he could answer.

  He kissed her but needed to touch her like she touched him. He tugged at her robe sash and spread the garment wide at her shoulders. Hospital scrubs weren’t the sexiest of pajamas, but he wasn’t complaining. But then, all he wanted was for them to be gone.

  She released his cock and her cane, allowing the robe to fall to the floor. He pulled the scrub top over her head and tossed it aside.

  Her beautiful breasts were exposed to his gaze, his touch. He cupped one in each hand, then bent down and took a nipple into his mouth. It retracted against his tongue. She threaded her fingers through his hair and leaned against the door.

  He moved to her other breast and sucked that one into a tight bud. He could play with her breasts for hours. He would play with them for hours. Later. In his CLU.

  He was scheduled to remain on medical leave for a few more days and intended to take full advantage of it.

  “Get naked,” she said.

  He pulled off his T-shirt, sweatpants, and boxer briefs. Naked, he tugged down her scrub pants and panties, then scooped her up and carried her to the bed. He laid her on top of the covers and stepped back to enjoy the view of her splayed on his bed, her only covering the thick bandage wrapped around her thigh.

  “You’re beautiful,” he said as he ran a finger along her skin from her throat to her belly button. “Are you sure your wound can take this?”

  She nodded. “The doctor just said not to get too creative.”

  He laughed. “We’ll save creative for later.”

  She reached out and took his erection into her hand and stroked the shaft. She licked her lips and said, “Raise the bed.”

  He needed no more encouragement and hit the button that brought the bed—and her mouth—to the perfect height. She pulled him to her and licked the length of him, then took the head into her mouth. She swirled her tongue around the tip, then took him deep.

  Holy fuck.

  She stroked him with hand and lips while her tongue slid along the underside and caressed as far down the length as she could take into her throat.

  Seeing her lips wrapped around him, the feel of her mouth as she sucked… No fantasy from ten years ago or this week compared. He slid his fingers between her thighs and felt her wet heat. Slick and ready for him.

  She moaned as she sucked, and the feel of her mouth, the sounds, the visuals made his balls tighten. She cupped them and kept sucking, and he was in heaven.

  This wasn’t just any blowjob. This was Brie. Sexy, funny, strong, perfect Brie, rocking his world, giving herself to him. He stroked her clit and ran his fingers around the opening of her vagina before slipping two inside her. She let out a soft groan and kept stroking and sucking. His thumb teased her clit as his fingers slid in her tight, slick body.

  Christ. He had to taste her.

  Now.

  He slipped from her mouth, keeping his finger on her clit, and moved to the foot of the bed. It was too narrow a mattress for her to angle across it, so he climbed on from the bottom as she scooted up. He positioned himself between her bent knees and spread her thighs wider, careful of her injury.

  He paused to stare down at her. Wet and ready, her pussy was fucking beautiful. He breathed in her musky scent. She was so aroused. His cock thickened even more.

  He slid his tongue over her clit, and she let out a gasp. “Oh yes.”

  Another swipe of his tongue then another. He traced her lips, then thrust his tongue inside, stroking deep. God, she tasted good.

  Why had he been considerate of her injury when he could have been taking care of her like this? He returned to her clit and sucked on it. Her body curled around him, thighs cradling his head, hands stroking his hair. “Bastian.” Her voice was a breathy whisper. A plea.

  He’d known she’d be this way. Open. Uninhibited. Eager. He slid two fingers inside her, wanting so badly to follow up with his cock, but they’d satisfy each other with oral. He didn’t have condoms. Tonight, he’d make her come with his mouth and fingers and be content with that.

  He licked and sucked, and her body tightened around him. He was rock hard and might come just listening to the sounds she made.

  “Get inside me, Bastian,” she whispered.

  “No condoms. Come for me, Brie.”

  Her fingers twined in his hair. “In my robe…pocket.”

  He kept his fingers on her clit, holding her on the cusp. “You’ve got condoms?”

  “Yes. The doc gave me a box after seeing you wearing my lipstick.”

  He laughed and climbed from the bed to grab the package. A moment later, he was back on the bed, between her thighs, his bare cock touching her tight curls. He handed her the condom. She stroked him several times, then rolled it down his length with exquisite slowness.

  Sheathed at last, he positioned his penis at her opening, inserting himself a scant half inch. He kept his gaze on her face as she took the tip, loving the pleasure and need he saw there.

  She grasped his hips in her hands and tried to pull him toward her, pressing her pelvis down to take him deeper. “More,” she demanded.

  Sex for him was often urgent, fast. Wild. Up against the wall. But with Brie, he wanted slow. Intense. They could do wild wall sex in his CLU, after her leg had healed more. Ever so slowly, he pushed inside her. She was so slick and hot, he could go balls-deep in one swift stroke, but he didn’t. Instead, he enjoyed the exquisite torture of drawing out this first thrust of his cock inside her.

  Once seated, he stayed deep. She clenched around him, so tight and hot, he let out a soft groan. Fuck, being inside her was all he ever wanted. Every fantasy come true.

  He leaned down and kissed her. Slowly. Tenderly. Like he had in South Sudan. Only this time, they were joined, her pussy tight around him. He wanted to hold on to this, the feeling of perfection of being inside her. Part of her. Her strength. Her beauty. Her resilience.

  The possessiveness he’d felt earlier returned, magnified by a thousand.

  Brie Stewart was the woman of his dreams. Smart. Strong. Caring. Resourceful. Funny. Beautiful in every way.

  As slowly as he’d entered her, he pulled back, determined to savor. She moaned softly, her thighs wrapped around his hips, hands gripping his shoulders, eyes closed, lost in sensation. He’d given that to her. He thrust again, faster this time. And he’d give it to her again. Another thrust. And again.

  Her hands moved from his shoulders to cup his ass as he pumped into her, and it wasn’t long before he lost all speed control. He supported his weight with a forearm on the mattress and slipped his free hand between their bodies to touch her clit. He stroked in time with his thrusts. His mouth covered hers as she came, capturing the sound she made with orgasm as her body quaked beneath his and her nails dug into his butt.

  Her orgasm pushed him over the edge, and he groaned his own re
lease into her mouth as he came. He came hard. Fast and intense. So fucking good.

  He wondered if the release of endorphins would trigger a headache thanks to the concussion, but none came to diminish the moment. He lowered himself to her side, rolling them both to stay inside her. He made sure her injured thigh had no weight on it.

  He kissed her lips, her brow, her cheeks. Soft, slow kisses as he gently thrust his hips. He stroked her clit with his thumb, causing her body to ripple with quakes.

  “You’re killing me, Bastian.” Her eyes were closed, and she smiled as she clenched around him, triggering his own tremor.

  He chuckled in her ear. Kissed her neck. “You feel so good, babe. How did we last this long without doing this?”

  “I believe you said you were being considerate.”

  “Is that a synonym for stupid?”

  She laughed and ran her lips over his throat. “It’s time to admit I was right.”

  “About what? That we were fools not to do this sooner?”

  “No. I warned you before we kissed the first time that I’m very good at sex.”

  He laughed and stroked her breast, ran his hand down her side. “You were right about everything.”

  Including the part about falling in love with her.

  25

  Savannah James was having a good week. The two children rescued from South Sudan had identified two individuals known to work for General Lawiri as the market’s primary muscle. Now all she needed to know was who Lawiri’s partner was, because the whole operation had been far too well managed for the likes of Lawiri. Add to that Etefu Desta had broken under CIA interrogation and they had a solid lead for bringing down the Djiboutian minister who’d conspired with him to steal water from Djibouti. And her friend—well, the closest thing she had to one here, anyway—archaeologist Morgan Adler, was on the base for a few days. Savvy would have a chance to pick her brain for insight into the growing problem of artifact smuggling in the region.

  But best of all, Sergeant Cassius Callahan was in the gym, oblivious to Savvy’s presence as he sparred with Pax.