Sex had never felt this fan-fucking-tastic before and he wasn't stupid enough to try to pretend it had anything to do with the lack of a condom and the overwhelming emotion. For the first time in his life, he was making love. And it was beyond amazing. They were both alive; she loved him and he sure as hell loved her. Sure, this was the wrong place and the wrong time, but that had been the story since the day he walked into The Cockpit and found her behind the bar.
The hot, slick glove of her pussy squeezed him, resulting in an answering tug at his heart. Her eyes fluttered shut and her mouth rounded in a perfect “o” as she drew in a ragged breath. Her movements became frantic, desperate. He increased his tempo and prayed his control held until she shattered in his arms. Kissing her, he swallowed her cries and took her breath deep within himself as he poured out his soul into her welcoming body.
* * * *
Five long days.
For five long days, Casey paced the stifling confines of the compound—a luxurious prison was still a prison. Chad spent his days pretending to teach the two pilots to fly a top-of-the-line fighter jet. According to him, he wondered where they'd had their training because just teaching them to strap on a g-suit and hook up to the plane had been an exercise in frustration. Not that any of it really mattered. They'd never have the opportunity to fly the jet.
At least he had something to do, besides fight off Antonio. Books and magazines lay scattered around but once she'd gone through and looked at the pictures, they were pretty worthless to her. There was Telemundo and Univision on the television, but her Spanish sucked. So she spent her time staring at the verdant lushness of the rainforest and wearing clothes borrowed from one of the housekeepers.
They hadn't made love since their first night because Chad had managed to sneak in some supplies in his flight suit and sawed through the bars at the window. He'd been out on “sneak and peeks,” searching for the best way out. God knew she wanted to be back on American soil, back in Las Vegas, so she didn't complain when he climbed into bed, exhausted. She worried about her father and her son.
A banging at the door provided a welcome distraction. It meant the boys were back and it was time for dinner. Goon One was her escort to the dining room this evening, where she found Luz at the table, helping herself to a glass of wine.
"Hola, Casey. How are you this evening?” At least she'd stopped calling her señorita.
"I want to go home.” Didn't she ever tire of this conversation?
"Not until Señor Chad completes his end of the bargain. Then you may return to los Estados Unidos and Chad will disappear to wherever he pleases."
As if he'd heard his name, Chad entered the room with Antonio and the two pilots following. The men and Luz spent another meal discussing the fighter, its capabilities, and potential. Chad conversed with them as if he really were a terrorist sympathizer, forcing her on more than one occasion to remember which side held his loyalty. She found this especially disconcerting because he didn't reveal any of the plans to her.
She understood his reasoning. He wanted to keep her safe in the event something went wrong. That didn't mean she liked it.
After an interminably long meal, Chad pushed back from the table and dragged her to her feet, round who-knew-how-many in the game they played about not liking each other.
"What if I'm not finished yet?” She made a lame grab for the chair.
"I don't give a shit. I need to burn off some stress.” He pulled her along as she struggled.
"Enjoy your evening, Señor.” Antonio smirked.
Pig. He probably got off on listening.
Continuing to fight the entire way back to their room, she only stopped when Chad shoved her through the open door then locked it behind them. They staged a mock battle all the way to the bathroom.
"We're leaving tonight."
"Tonight?” She alternated between exhilaration and fear.
"I'm not able to get any information from Antonio or the pilots, and the PJs are inbound, so it's time to get out of here. I'm hoping we won't be bothered if they think we're in here getting busy."
He laid out their plan. He'd discovered a path to the airfield, their first stop. In about fifteen minutes, the guards would be on the complete opposite end of the compound, giving them plenty of time to make a run for it. Once at the fighter, he'd gather the supplies he'd hidden and turn back on the transponder. From there, they had three hours to hike two miles to the next field. Exactly three hours from the time the transponder went back on, a pararescue helicopter picked them up.
He made it sound so simple. She knew otherwise.
As Casey watched, Chad opened the window and removed the bars, much as he had each of the other nights. Except this night, she'd be going with him. While he worked, he started up a fight. They yelled at each other, she hoped, convincingly. They only needed three hours and then they'd be on their way home.
With one last glance at his watch, Chad bellowed, “Dammit woman, get on the bed and shut the fuck up."
He silently gestured to her, encouraging her to go out the window. With a little help, she landed on her feet outside. The first thing that hit her was the air. So thick and heavy with oxygen and moisture, it enveloped her. It was almost tangible. The night was quiet around them. She'd been expecting a chorus of monkeys chattering and birds singing. Apparently even wild animals sleep.
Chad dropped to his feet, replaced the bars, and took her hand. Without a word, he led her out of the light surrounding the compound and into an impenetrable darkness. At the edge, where the rainforest reclaimed the land, he stopped.
"You have to stay right behind me. This may be a path, but it's still rough terrain."
She squeaked out a yes.
"Are you all right?"
His eyes were hidden by the darkness, but she heard the concern in his voice.
"Just a little nervous."
"Don't be, we'll get out of here."
They would; she trusted him. Trusted him enough to do this no matter how much her stomach turned over at the idea of plunging into the pitch black. She inhaled deeply. “Let's go."
She clung to his hand, stumbling over tree roots and God knew what else. Moist earth and wet grass squished between her toes. Mental note to self—the next time you get kidnapped, wear hiking boots instead of sandals. Shoving leaves and hopefully nothing more disgusting out of her face, she kept a tight grasp on him. If she lost him, he'd never find her again.
Time and distance became vague concepts as she struggled along behind him. Her calves and hips protested the punishing terrain until she didn't think she'd be able to go one more step. The scampering of some creature running near them kept her going.
Just when she thought she'd have to stop and ask for a break, the dense growth thinned out. Holding out her hand, she wiggled her fingers and actually saw them.
"Sit here.” Chad gestured to a large rock. She took in her surroundings as she made herself as comfortable as possible. That's when she saw it—the JSF, the military's newest baby. She watched as he scrambled up the ladder and popped the canopy. He leaned over and dug around the cockpit, shoving things in his pockets. If it'd been daylight, she'd have had a spectacular view of his butt. Whoa. Not exactly appropriate thoughts given their situation.
"Are you ready or do you need to rest?"
The next part of the trip meant plunging back into the rainforest, this time for twice the distance. She hadn't asked what would happen if they didn't make it to the extraction point within the time frame. She didn't want to know. “Let's do it."
He reached inside the cockpit once more and then closed the canopy. The clock had started ticking. Soon. This would all be over soon. He backed down the ladder and double-timed it over to her side.
"Time to get going.” He held out his hand to her once more. Slipping night vision goggles into place, he checked his GPS device and led her back into the rainforest, further away from the compound.
They moved in silence and slower t
han before. Chad had to clear the way for them since there was no direct path to their destination. Following paths would take much longer than they had. She might as well have been completely barefoot for all the good her shoes did her. Twigs poked at her, wet, slimy things gooshed between the shoe and the bottom of her foot. When she made it back to the States, she was treating herself to the mother of all pedicures.
She walked and walked until she didn't think her legs had any steps left in them. And then she walked some more. She pushed things out of her way. She stepped over, around, and in things she'd rather not think about. During the brief moments when the magnitude of their situation didn't overwhelm her, the vibrancy of the rainforest surrounded her. Even in the dark, she felt the life force of the plants and the animals, the sanctity of the ecosystem. She almost wished for daytime, for the chance to truly appreciate her environment.
A tremor wracked her body and it took a split second for the cause to register. An ear-piercing siren.
"Shit. The silence must have tipped off Antonio.” Chad tightened his grip on her hand and picked up the pace.
"How much further do we have to go?"
"A few hundred yards."
"Time?” She hadn't heard a helicopter. Please, oh, please don't let them have been late.
"Half an hour."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you."
She trudged onward, moving faster than she'd thought possible. Without warning, the dense forest broke into a football field-sized clearing. “Yes!” She threw her arms around Chad's neck, laughing as he spun her around. “Do you think they'll find us here?” He didn't let her go, holding her close.
"The first place they'll look is at the airfield, to make sure I didn't take off with the jet. After that, they'll have to fan out and search. That will definitely take more than half an hour since this field isn't accessible by any paths or roads. It's why we chose it."
Shivers overtook her body and she collapsed to the ground, with Chad preventing a hard fall. She shook uncontrollably, though his arms wrapped around her kept her securely on his lap. He kissed her forehead, her cheeks, and reassured her with his touch.
"I didn't realize how scared I was, how afraid, until just now."
"You've been through one hell of an ordeal. You've been amazingly brave.” He brushed her lips with the softest of touches.
They sat there, holding each other, until the rhythmic whomp of a helicopter broke the night air. The downward beat of the blades tossed up dirt and debris along with one heck of a breeze. Chad hooked an arm around her waist, sheltering her, as they stood watching the Air Force's Pave Low dip to the ground. The back opened and two PJ's, Air Force pararescuemen, emerged, weapons drawn. For the first time, having one of those aimed at her didn't frighten her.
"Major, are you here?"
"We're here.” He bent low as he tugged her over to the chopper.
"You're a sight for sore eyes, Major.” The airman saluted.
"You're a damn sight better than that."
Casey refused to let go of Chad as they entered the belly of the helicopter and strapped into seats seconds before the nose dipped forward and they lifted off. A medic came over to check them out but they insisted they were fine.
Chad took her hands and squeezed, earning her attention. “Casey, I have to ask you something before we land. They're going to give us physicals and whisk us back to Washington to be debriefed. I don't know when I'll see you again."
He looked so serious. “What is it?"
Looking around, he swallowed hard. She'd never seen him this nervous.
"I know this isn't the most romantic setting and I don't have a ring, but ... I love you, Casey. I didn't want to fall in love with you, but I did. You're amazing; you're fantastic. And Jackson. I love that little guy and if Brian still wants to sign away his rights, I want to adopt him. I want to be his father. If you'll have me, that is."
She couldn't believe her ears. “What are you trying to say, Chad?” She'd hoped he'd want a future. She'd prayed they'd spend more time together if they managed to get out of Cancuen. Never, ever, did she expect him to propose.
"You've shown me that I can trust again. I haven't trusted a woman since Brenda. She poked holes in a box of condoms she bought. She wanted to get pregnant, to trap me. But you taught me to trust again. I want..."
The poor man babbled. He was so nervous he just rambled on and on. She wanted to put him out of his misery and say yes, but she wanted to be asked first.
"I'm really screwing this up, aren't I?"
She shook her head, but didn't speak. He had to figure this one out on his own.
"Casey, what I'm trying to say is that I love you, today, tomorrow, and always. I want nothing more than to be your husband. Will you marry me?"
"Yes!” She must have squealed, louder than she thought, because the airmen turned to look in her direction.
Chad didn't seem to care if they had an audience. He kissed her, a soft gentle kiss full of promise and emotion. She rested her head on his chest and contented herself by listening to the unsteady beat of his heart for her.
* * * *
The next three days flew by in a blur of interrogations and briefings and reunions with her father and Jackson. She hadn't been allowed any contact with Chad.
Casey had been questioned extensively about what she knew and when she knew it and what Chad had told her. She'd answered the questions honestly and completely. In return, she'd been given some information. She'd asked and learned that this assignment had been in the making since approximately six months after the death of Chad's first wife. They'd told her that the PJs had been sent to a neighboring country within hours of Chad's “defection,” and were to wait a week. She hadn't realized how little time she and Chad had had left. Military air traffic controllers had been waiting for the JSF transponder to be turned back on; that had been the signal for the extraction.
It had all been a carefully choreographed chain of events. After she and Chad had been picked up, Air Force bombers had moved in to destroy the compound. They'd hoped to get a pilot in to liberate the JSF, but that hadn't happened and the one-hundred-million dollar jet was a casualty of war. Thanks to Chad's actions, he was now a national hero who brought down a dangerous threat to national security.
As a result, she stood in the White House Rose Garden on an unseasonably warm day for early November, her father and Jackson at her side. She'd been allowed to invite Jan, as well. Her son had been told she'd gone on a little trip and he was none the worse for wear. Her father, on the other hand, refused to let her out of his sight. If he did have to blink, Jan picked up the slack. Chad's family mingled close by, his parents, two older brothers, and younger sister. She didn't know if he'd had a chance to tell them about their engagement or not.
Braedon Powell and his new bride, Katrina, had searched her out when she'd first arrived in the Rose Garden. She'd been glad to see the friendly faces. Then, Major Erika Dalton-Greene introduced herself and her husband Aiden, before the major and her father disappeared for a chat. Before she knew it, Casey was surrounded by friendly faces when several members of Chad's squadron arrived. All those Air Force blue dress uniforms made a powerful target for the media, who wanted exclusive interviews in hopes of some juicy tidbits. Freaking vultures. Thankfully, no one bit and their presence kept her out of the spotlight.
They all waited, along with members of Congress, countless dignitaries, and the entire Washington press corps. Chad was inside the White House, meeting with the President, his cabinet, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Once they all moved outside, Chad was being awarded a Presidential medal, a Congressional medal, and an Air Force medal.
Hell, it sounded like he was being given the keys to the county. He deserved every honor heaped on him and then some. He'd risked his life and his career numerous times over the past years to achieve this goal.
She hadn't seen him since they stepped off the helicopter and into the hands of military officials. He
'd been right about that. He had called her last night and asked if she'd changed her mind about wanting to marry him. The fool had lost his mind if he honestly thought that. And she told him so. “Glad to hear it,” had been his only response. Then they'd engaged in her first ever experience with phone sex.
After what felt like an interminable wait, the President, his entourage, and Chad emerged into the Rose Garden. Damn, he looked so handsome in his dress uniform. He searched the crowd, smiling when he found her. Without breaking their shared gaze, he whispered something in the President's ear and then motioned for her to join him. In a daze, she cut through the crowd to his side and took his hand.
"You look stunning,” he whispered in her ear.
She could only smile before the President launched into his speech. Chad graciously accepted his awards and offered a comment on the strength of the military in general and how he'd only been upholding the oath he swore to at his commission. He then saluted his commander-in-chief, who extended his hand after he returned the salute.
Casey's heart swelled in her chest and teardrops pricked at the back of her eyelids. Dammit, she was not going to cry and mess up her make up.
"A grateful nation thanks you for your service, Lieutenant Colonel Monroe."
Lieutenant Colonel? He'd been promoted? She looked at his rank insignia for the first time. Damn, so that's what they were doing in there.
"If there's anything more I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask."
"As a matter of fact, Mr. President, there is one thing."
Casey stood there, trying not to faint, as her fiancée asked the President of the United States for a favor.
Epilogue
It is absolutely imperative that the pilot be unpredictable.
Rebelliousness is very predictable.
In the end, conforming almost all the time is the
best way to be unpredictable.
Chad and Casey reclined on the hammock watching the clouds float by as the sun slowly set. Her sated naked body draped over him like a blanket. Despite the chill in the fall air, warmth flooded his system.
Call of Duty [Class of '93 Trilogy Book 3] Page 23