I stop briefly, but Zach never pushed, not moving or trying to move me. He's patient and understanding. I lower myself a little more, moaning as the pressure increases. A throaty sound comes from deep within Zach’s chest, he feels this, enjoys it.
I placed my second hand around his neck and continue my tortuous descent over his shaft. Zach's face never falters, but I can see his eyes dilate as I descend further and further. Two things happen when I have him fully inside me. First, I can feel his pelvis against my clit, it's a nice feeling, creating a stirring in my belly. Second, Zach’s fingers digging into the sides of my hips, stopping me, holding me in place.
Zach turns us over, his cock never leaving me. His rhythm is slow at first—in and out, in and out. I watched as his eyes close and he changes his strokes, adding a sweep that rubs my clit with each downward motion. I can't stop the moans coming out of me, causing Zach's eyes to open and his thrusts to increase. I can feel the head of his cock getting bigger, slicker with the lubrication my arousal is producing.
I want to come, to cry out his name and live the Hollywood fantasy where our bodies are slick with sweat and we finish together. But we are far from a movie couple, this is real. This is the man who will see me at my worst and, thank God, my absolute best. It's that realization and serenity which causes the tingling in my pelvis to rise to the top. With quicker thrusts from my end, my back arches and my breath quickens. This is so much more than a physical act, more than a move toward independence. This is our pledge that when things are good, and even when they're bad, we can come together and share the intimacy and pleasure we bring one another.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Zach
Kennedy was due home any minute. She had been invited by her father’s office manager to a baby shower for Lauren, one of the partner’s daughters, who found herself pregnant. The father of the baby, William Vale, a beady-eyed geek who Claudia tried to push her into marrying. According to Kennedy, this Vale guy was somehow related to the presidential family she was named after. Following a series of bad investments, which landed his family in debt, he had been selling off most of the inherited possessions. When John and Claudia divorced, he had a historical curator come in and take all of the furnishings his ex-wife had purchased from the Vales, giving them to several museums. Claudia had not been happy.
I’d promised my girl I’d make her favorite meal for dinner, with a bottle of wine chilled and ready when she got home. With the steaks sitting in a homemade marinade, I cracked open a beer, and waited for her to arrive.
Sliding onto a bar stool with the remote for the television in my right hand, I’m just about to hit the power button when the computer on my left comes to life. Turning the screen to face me, I enter my password to open the program. With everything we went through with Virginia Greyson and Ethan Porter, all of our electronics had iron clad firewalls and resetting passwords.
Doc’s somber face greets me as I click on the icon. My heart falls to my stomach as I take in his face. “Doc?”
“Viper let me get everyone on before I tell you what has happened.” Nodding in understanding, I take a pull of my beer as we wait for the rest of the team to login. This can’t be good, and I hope whatever it is, has nothing to do with my team. The sound of the back door opening filters through to the kitchen before Kennedy’s tired face comes around the edge of the door.
“Hey,” she calls out, eyes going wide as she notices the computer and Doc’s tired face. “Sorry, I’ll just go upstairs.” She whispers, pointing to the ceiling. Having Kennedy living with me has been a double-edged sword. While I loved having her around, sex on the couch being an added bonus, the proverb of not knowing someone until you live with them, is incredibly true. Kennedy has a head full of long, beautiful hair, which clogs up the sink and shower...all the fucking time.
“No, Kennedy,” pulling out the barstool beside me, I motion her over. “I want you here to listen to what Doc has to tell us.” When she met the guys, and chose to stay by my side, she also became a part of the team. While her part will consist of keeping the home fires burning, it is a vital role in my world.
“Hey, Kennedy. How are you doing?” Claire Morgan, Diesel's sister-in-law, and Kennedy have spoken several times over the past few weeks. They discovered similarities in their childhoods, forming a similar bond to the one I have with my team.
Kennedy tells her about the events of the office baby shower, including the uninvited guest who claims her baby was also fathered by William and is due within days of Lauren. While no fight broke out, John Forrester was called into the office to have a talk with William Vale.
“I thank God everyday I found a good guy in Dylan.”
A smile forms on my girl’s face as she turns to grab my chin. “I know what you mean, Zach is my personal hero.” Her eyes gleam, colored in the truth of what she is saying.
“Ladies, as much as I’d love to hear about how you are the luckiest women on the planet, I do have some sad news to pass.” Doc’s voice pulled us both back to the screen, the faces of my team sectioned off into squares.
"Ramsey was stabbed to death on patrol last night. Captain said he had been playing with a scorpion, trying to get it to attack him when the lady came out of the shadows. She managed to stab him more than ten times before they got her off him."
The memory of the lady who did the damage to my arm came rushing back. Ramsey had wanted to see some action, experience real combat, I doubt he imagined it would be in the form of a female and the sharp end of her blade.
“Ramsey's only relative is his younger brother who is currently a guest in the Arkansas State prison system. The Red Cross got in touch with him, but his brother still has several years to serve out of his sentence and wouldn't be allowed to attend his brother's funeral.”
A silence fell across us; the miles apart meant nothing at the moment. “Kevin Ramsey will be buried in Arlington, by men and women he didn't know. No girlfriend will stand alone and cry for her loss, no mother is left behind to remember her son as one of the fallen.”
Mentally, I’m packing my bag and calling the airlines to book a flight. I look to Kennedy, who has her phone out, sending a text message to my aunt of a family emergency.
“I’ve gotten new orders and will come to Arlington to attend his funeral and house hunt.” Doc added the last in a reverent whisper. “Viper, I know you found Ramsey to be a pain in your ass, but you should know, his orders to go to Coronado came this morning.” Ramsey would never know he had gotten his chance to become one of us.
“You’re right, Doc. He deserves a proper funeral. I’ll book my flight and meet you in Washington.” My heart felt heavy, sadness gripping me like a vice. Based on the man I knew Ramsey to be, he wouldn’t have lasted beyond the first day of training, but he had passed everything else required to get in. I owed him, as his mentor and friend, to give him a SEAL’s funeral.
“Lindsey has an interview with CNN this week, I had planned on surprising her, do a little celebrating.” Ghost mentioned as I watched Kennedy booking flights from Atlanta to DC. “I can join you two and give her time to finish up.” Lindsey Jennings, one of the country's up and coming journalists, was as beautiful as she was smart. She and Ryan had met during an interview gone wrong. Lindsey came to the Korengal Valley to talk with the locals on their views of how the military interfered with their poppy harvests. She assumed since she was a beautiful female, the locals would respond with open arms. She was wrong.
When the shit hit the fan, Ghost came out of the shadows, scooped her up and got her to safety. For him, it was love at first sight. For her, in my opinion, it was an opportunity to launch herself to stardom. And it worked. She went from weekend reporter to co-anchor of a national station in the blink of an eye. He has caught her many times, with numerous news executives, always with an excuse and night of incredible sex. No matter what we tell him, he is convinced she is the one for him. We are all waiting for the right girl to fall into his lap.
“Rayne and I will be there,” Reaper’s deep voice added, his eyes blank with sadness. He was a hard man, but deep inside was a heart bigger than his body. Kennedy and Rayne had kept in touch, she shared how Matt continued to surprise her in the gentleness he showed her, despite his massive size.
“My brothers and I would like to join. While they didn’t know Ramsey, they want to express their condolences as a part of this team.” Diesel sat beside two other men, their matching blue eyes sharing the brotherly bond they had developed over the years.
“I’ll be there too. It will get me out of meeting yet another girl my mother wants to set me up with.” Despite the seriousness of the moment, laughter filled the room. Havoc’s mother would never rest until she had him married with ten kids.
***
Bright sunshine rested in the center of the clear blue sky. A slight breeze tickled the blades of green grass, creating a symphony of sounds as it billowed through the leaves of the maple trees, reflecting the somberness of the day. Seven Honor Guard Marines stood in formation, the infamous gold stripe vertical down their legs, rifles in their white-gloved hands.
The six of us stood at attention, waiting for the twenty-one-gun salute to begin. As guns were raised and with the sounds of my medals clicking as the wind danced around them, I chance a glance at Kennedy. This morning, as I donned my uniform, she commented on how her reaction to me would have been different if I had shown up in my dress whites, instead of the camo’s I’d worn home on the plane. When I sat my cover on the top of my head, she tucked her lip between her teeth, letting me know I affected her just as she did me every time I looked at her.
The sound of the first seven shots echoed through the trees, signaling the beginning of the end of the funeral and causing her to flinch. The Honor Guard lowered their guns, feet still spread apart as the command for the next seven shots was given. A lone tear trailed down Kennedy's face, heartfelt emotion for a man she had never met. She would have made an incredible military wife and she will kick ass at what is in store for her.
“Ready, aim, fire.”
The second set of seven split the silence, the bangs echoing off in the distance. Dylan, Diesel's brother reached over, pulling Kennedy into his arms, encouraging her to cling to him as her sadness took over. What I knew from Chase about his brother was Dylan had been a crass, asshole who made no apologies for how he treated women, until he met his match in Claire, his beautiful wife.
“Ready, aim, fire.”
The third and final set of seven rang out as the chilling sound of the bugler, filled the air with the sound of Taps. Kennedy giving way to the sobs racking her body as Dylan pulled her closer, kissing the crown of her head.
Ramsey had no family to attend, as the remaining Honor Guard folded the flag that draped his coffin, the Chaplain laid the triangle in the center of the polished wood. Reaper was the first to break formation, kneeling at the head of Ramsey’s coffin. Pulling the glove off his right hand, the white material falling at Havoc’s polished shoes behind him. With the naked hand, Reaper reaches for his Trident pin, ripping it from his uniform jacket and placing the sharp tacks against the wood, slamming his hand hard on the metal, “Oorah,” spilled from his lips, emotion coloring the battle cry of the SEALs.
Havoc followed, his Trident joining Reaper’s, both men remaining on one knee as we each took the coveted gold shield from our jackets, paying honor to the man who died.
The Chaplain and Honor Guard waited patiently to show their respect, each young and hopeful face addressing me as “Sir,” followed by how sorry they were for my loss. I know they mean well, whether out of obligation or respect, they've taken the time to say something.
Diesel bends over, taking the folded flag into his gloved hand, turning it over several times. The ladies, who chose to come with us, stand in a huddle just past being able to hear what he is about to say.
“This started out with one man's need to protect the girl he loves.” His eyes flash to Dylan, who nods his head, but remains silent. “We continue for the innocent who can’t find their voice, for the tired and the afraid. For the ones we love, and the strangers we’re destined to meet. We do it together, with no regrets.”
Looking down at Ramsey's coffin, six Trident shields glisten in the sunlight. Everything we did was accomplished as a unit, no one more important than the other. What we wanted to continue would require more bravery, and perhaps stupidity, to make it successful.
“We do this as brothers, just as we’ve always done.” Diesel looks to each member of the team, making certain they understood what this meant. Austin and Dylan had always been civilians, but I felt confident Chase could mold them into productive members of the team.
Bending down to touch the shield I had placed on Ramsay's coffin, I recall the history lesson he had given over what the symbol meant, the sacrifices we all made to wear the shield.
“The Trident Brotherhood.”
The end
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OTHER WORK BY
Cayce Poponea
SHAMROCKS AND SECRETS
Book One
Event planning, dealing with demanding clients and defusing situations before they get out of hand are all in a days work for Christi O'Rourke. But when a mystery man seems to appear at every turn will she have the ability to handle him as well?
Power and wealth are staples in the world of Patrick Malloy. But when family obligations dictate his future, a future involving a certain spirited young woman, will Patrick have what it takes to win her heart or will his lifestyle place her in more danger than he ever dreamed of?
***
CLADDAGH AND CHAOS
Book Two
Shamrocks left us with Patrick posing an intriguing question. What exactly happened during those twenty-five years? We know that they got their happily ever after, but how did Patrick and Christi get there? Could love have a shelf life?
***
STOLEN SECRETS
Book Three
Arianna Covington’s world is turned upside down after the tragic death of her fiancé. Her friends watch as she tries to put the pieces of her life back together, only to fall further into the depression and seclusion her loneliness creates. To them, a trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras will somehow make the demons, which haunt her, vanish into the sweltering heat of the night.
What they don’t know is, Arianna has been living a lie, a spider web of secrets she keeps in order to stay alive. Using the city’s reputation for lost inhibitions and excessive celebration, she vanishes into the sea of spectators. She emerges with a new look and endless choices, leaving behind the secrets and lies she never wanted or earned. How can one night of burying your past, turn into a war with Dominick Santos? A man even the devil himself fears.
***
SOUTHERN JUSTICE TRILOGY
ABSOLUTE POWER
Book One
Dylan Morgan has it all; a prestigious career as a Detective for the city of Charleston, devilish good looks and a selection of girls whenever he chooses. Southern born and raised, he lives by the pearls his Granddaddy imparted to him. But when he questions his worth to the citizens of Charleston, his fears are realized when someone close to him is in danger. Does he follow the letter of the law as his position dictates, or does he follow his conscience, which will cause him to straddle a fine line? Can Dylan overcome the demons he creates for himself? Or will he toss everything away in a moment of reckoning?
Claire Stuart has fought hard her whole life not to fall into the same trap as her mother. She refuses to allow
men to use her and toss her away. Needing to escape the hardship her family creates, she seeks education over acceptance and uproots herself from the backwoods of Kentucky to the charm of Charleston. She knows all about Dylan Morgan and his choice to bed every woman he comes across, yet she finds herself unable to listen to the warnings her mind and friends give her. Can Claire ignore Dylan’s past and allow herself to let someone in? Someone who could shatter her very soul
***
ABSOLUTE CORRUPTION
Book Two
“Hold a door open for your girl, not because it’s expected of you, but because it gives you a moment to appreciate her as she walks ahead of you.”
Austin Morgan left the safety of his home in Charleston, accepting a position in New York City to make a name for himself. He wanted to earn his reputation through hard work, inventive ideas, dedication, and not by the legacy or influence of his family’s name. His dedication to work leaves little time for a social life or the promises forgotten, creating the perfect opportunity for deception to reach its greedy hand out and grab ahold of this Southern born gentlemen. What will happen when he has to make an unexpected trip home and rediscovers what is really important? Will his eyes finally be opened to the deceit and misplaced trust of those around him?
“Never let the fear of falling keep you from learning how to fly.”
Lainie Perry has never backed down from a challenge her entire life. She has come to count on her wits and stamina in achieving her goals. She has left her fears and those who would prey upon them in the dust. What happens, though, when her latest adversary exists only in her mind? Can she win the battle when the imagined enemy is already dead? Or will she need to seek help for this struggle?
Can these two find the help they need in each other?
Signed, SEALed, Delivered (Trident Brotherhood Book 1) Page 24