S.O.S. Wiley

by LJ Vickery

  When Wiley interjected with the make and model Solina’s car, Mason instantly ramped it up. “Hell no, ma’am. You can’t be out in the storm in that thing. Stay safe and get in whatever Wiley’s driving. Chances are it’s a tank.”

  “Not a tank, but a four-wheel SUV,” Wiley agreed. “So… Are we good here?” He looked to Solina for confirmation.

  “We’re good.”

  “Okay then. Thanks for the reference, Mason. If you ever need one yourself…”

  “Not happening, Wiley. I’m a confirmed loner.”

  “Yeah. Famous last words. See you around, Mase.”

  “See ya.”

  When Mason disconnected, Wiley raised his eyebrows at Solina. “One down,” he confirmed. “You want me to call Mayg now?”

  “If it isn’t too much trouble,” she said sheepishly.

  “No trouble at all.” He punched the button for his friend’s house and put the phone on speaker once again.

  Prez answered on the second ring. “Yo, Wiles. Don’t tell me. You’re in a ditch and need someone who actually knows how to drive to pull you out. Either that or you’ve been rolled by some ho’ and need cab fare.”

  “Ha-ha, jackass. Keep it clean. I’ve got you on speaker and my new friend is listening.”

  He could almost see Prez sit up straighter. “New friend as in the chick you’ve been fixated on all week?”

  Solina covered her mouth with a gloved hand as Wiley sighed. It would do him no good to pretend. “Yup, the same one. Prez, meet Solina Dalat. Solina, Prez.”

  “Howdy, Solina,” his buddy said politely. “If there’s anything I can do to talk you out of hooking up with this bozo… Hey. Ouch.” Wiley should have known better than to trust Prez to stay cool, but Maygan seemed to have him in hand.

  Prez’s voice disappeared and Maygan’s even tones took over. “Hey, Wiley. Solina, is it? You two aren’t out riding around in this weather, are you?”

  “We were at an auction, Mayg. We didn’t know how bad it had gotten until we came out. I’m trying to talk Solina into letting me drive her home or to my place, but she needs some character references.”

  “You can always come here, Wiley, except the two bedrooms are full. You’ll have to sleep in a chair while Solina takes our very old, very uncomfortable couch.”

  He looked over at Beauty, who shook her head.

  “Thanks, Mayg, but we’ll pass. I’ll be able to get us where we’re going if you just give me a stamp of approval.”

  “Sure thing, Wiles. Solina?”

  “Yes. I’m here.”

  “Don’t listen to my fiancé. Wiley’s a good guy who will take care of you. I’d trust him with my life.”

  “Thanks. After talking to you and Sergeant DePalto, I’m pretty sure I’ll be okay.”

  Mayg laughed. “Wait. You spoke to my cousin?”

  Solina blinked. “I didn’t know he’s your cousin, but yeah. He seemed very nice.”

  “He is. Listen, if you decide to stick around for a while, you’ll find that all these guys are nice. It’s in their DNA. Now, go with Wiley, and let us know when you land somewhere. We’ll be worried all night otherwise.”

  Wiley took over. “Will do, Mayg. And thank you. I still don’t know what you see in that overgrown Finn, but I’m happy he found you.”

  “You and me both, Wiles. Talk to you soon. Bye.”

  Now that logistics had been completed, silence descended.

  What would Solina do next?

  Chapter Six

  Solina looked everywhere but at Wiley. She knew he waited for her to give him an answer, but it didn’t roll off her tongue because, well…she didn’t know what she should do. Her choices sucked. The thought of having anyone else in her personal space at home made nerves dance dangerously under her skin, but going to his place might be worse. How would she deal without the comfort of her own things around her? It had been six years since she’d functioned, semi-normally, at college. It was also the last time she’d slept somewhere other than home.

  “Solina, this doesn’t have to be difficult.”

  Wiley’s calm voice settled a few of her butterflies.

  “I promise, you’ll be safe with me,” he continued. “Although I’m attracted to you, I am a grown-up. I can control my urges.” He elbowed her arm in a joking manner. It lightened her mood.

  Safe―in the way he assumed it―wasn’t what she wanted. She’d definitely been thinking about sex with Wiley, but the logistics of where made her extremely anxious. “Okay.” She exhaled slowly. “Your house.”

  “Good. Let’s grab whatever stuff you want and head to my car.” He didn’t make a big deal over her decision, not questioning why she had so much trouble making up her mind. And for that, she was grateful. They’d have to get to know each other pretty well before she let him know how fucked up she was.

  Solina leaned over into the back seat, rummaging around in one of the pile of bags littering the floor. She extracted a t-shirt and sweats, an unopened twelve-pack of toothbrushes, and a stick of deodorant. Tucking them in with her purchases of the evening, she figured it would have to suffice. Her purse held a few other things that might become necessary.

  She waited for Wiley to exit the car first before forcing herself to step out into the blizzard, keeping herself steady while chanting her mantra: Calm, settled and independent. Calm, settled and independent.

  When she slipped in the snow, Wiley, who’d just made it around to her side, grabbed her elbow, saving her from falling on her face. Yup. That’s me. Independent all the way. So why did it feel so good to have his solid body next to hers, supporting her across the white expanse and toward a large mound of snow? Could this be a turning point? She’d certainly had a few in her life, but had always worked hard to achieve them. The way Wiley had slipped into her head seemed too easy.

  For once, Solina didn’t want to analyze things. She simply wanted to go with the flow. See where the tide led her. Staying at his house meant jumping into the deep end, but what could be the worst thing that would happen? She’d flounder in uncharted seas, and he’d either cast her a net or cut her loose. But the momentary thrill of being “caught” was what had her agreeing to go with him.

  Upon hearing a vehicle being unlocked, she brought her mind back to the present. “This is your car?” Solina raised her voice against the squall.

  “Yup,” he yelled back. “If you give me a minute…” He brought his big arm up and swiped across the front of the passenger door, uncovering a decent swath, “we can get you and your things out of the storm.”

  Solina didn’t wait. She pulled open the large SUV door and placed her bag inside before closing it again. “I’ll help you clear the snow.”

  “No need,” he replied. “I’ll take care of it.”

  Stubbornly, Solina stuck out her chin…and got a gust of precipitation down her neck for her troubles. “Eeek!” She shook as the wetness dripped down between her breasts. Wiley must have seen it because he gave an enormous laugh.

  Oh yeah? Solina had a wicked urge. When he turned to clean off the rest of his vehicle, she scooped up a handful of snow from the bumper and launched it at the back of his head. Without a hood, it slipped down into his collar.

  “Shit! What the…?” Wiley turned, his eyes widening. “You did not just―”

  “Yes, I did,” she answered while shoveling up another clump of snow. Her breath hit the air with excited little puffs. Wiley’s flashing white grin ramped up her mischievous side another notch.

  “Solina…”

  His tone warned of retribution, but she couldn’t help herself. She launched her second projectile. It would have hit him square in the face, but he ducked and rolled, an action that had her instantly speechless.

  Wow, he can move.

  He came to his feet inches away from her and without warning, went low. He lifted her up, placing her over his right shoulder. A surprised “oof” escaped her lungs.

  “Wiley! What are you doin
g?” she yelped.

  “Finding a snowbank,” he bellowed back, but amusement laced his voice. “Never play rough with a soldier, Solina. And never launch a sneak attack because retaliation is assured.” He clapped a hand on her ass, and Solina’s belly clenched.

  Holy hell. What had she gotten herself into? Half-laughing and half-pleading, she entreated her captor. “No, Wiley. Don’t do it. You’ll be sorry.”

  He guffawed heartily. “I sincerely doubt that.”

  Solina didn’t know where this playful side of her came from, but she decided to go with it. He thought to dump her into a pile of snow, did he? Let him try it. She wasn’t about to let him win.

  When he stopped walking, Solina prepared herself. But instead of tossing her, he gripped her thighs and slid her down his body, lowering her into a snowy birth. Without giving him time to back away or gloat, Solina hooked her feet around the back of his knees and tugged with all her might. Timmmberrr. Down he came, landing on her prone body, compacting her farther into the snow. Oh my. She loved the feeling of his bulk covering her in such an intimate way. She couldn’t help herself. Her arms slipped up around his neck to hold him in place.

  “Solina?” His question felt like a warm bath against her cheek, and she knew what he asked.

  “Yes,” she whispered. There could be no other answer.

  With the first brush of his lips, Solina’s pulse skyrocketed. The sudden heat and captivating hardness of his mouth had her gasping. He took advantage and slipped his zealous tongue inside. She welcomed the invading presence, tentatively touching it with her own. He ratcheted up a notch, growling in what Solina hoped was pleasure, and increased the pressure, as if to devour her.

  Solina had been kissed before, and even attempted a few prolonged, boring make-out sessions. Nothing had ever moved her the way Wiley’s kiss did. He filled every one of her senses. Not only did she taste him, she inhaled his fresh cedar scent as he filled her soul with his heady groans. His hands roamed everywhere, and she lamented the thick coats between them, which kept him from touching her skin. When he pulled back for a breather, she nipped at his lower lip. His eyes darkened at her boldness, and he dipped back in for more. Now it was her turn to moan, thrusting her fingers through his thick hair to hold him close. The fireworks in her head turned to bright lights…

  Bright lights… What?

  She shifted for a breath and saw a flashlight headed toward them.

  “Police,” barked an imperative voice. “Is everything all right? Do you need assistance?”

  Wiley stiffened above her. “Shit,” he expostulated in her ear. “This might not go well.”

  To hear her alpha male discomfited shouldn’t have struck her as funny, but it did. She pinched her lips together as he struggled to roll off her. Her chuckle, if it escaped, would turn into a guffaw, and the guffaw to an all-out laugh, so she wriggled to contain it. As Wiley rolled off and lay on his back next to her, she knew the kind of a picture she presented. Her lips would be cherry red from his kisses and her eyes would appear languid.

  “Ma’am?” The officer spoke again. He clearly wanted to know if she needed assistance.

  Solina couldn’t help it. She grinned. “I started it by throwing a snowball,” she told him cheekily. “And since he had no chance of besting me at that…” She trailed off and snuck a glance at Wiley, who had one arm crooked over his eyes, as if at a loss for what to do.

  “So this is, uh, consensual?” The cop looked almost as uncomfortable as Wiley.

  “Yes, Officer,” she assured him. “The only danger here is frostbite.”

  He shook his head and finally lowered the flashlight. A distinct snort cut across the howling storm. “Carry on then.” Shaking his head, he marched away.

  “You can come out now.” She poked Wiley in the ribs, smirking.

  “Mortifying.” He slowly lowered his arm to stare at her. “And if you ever tell any of the guys about this, I will deny it to my dying breath.”

  Solina beamed. If she ever had a chance to meet his group, it would be a good story, but she wouldn’t breathe a word to any of them. “I wouldn’t think of telling your teammates,” she stated truthfully.

  “Thank you,” he huffed. “Now, I think it’s time we clean off the car and go home.”

  Solina agreed. The cold had totally seeped into her back now that Wiley’s body wasn’t distracting her, and although she wanted to talk about the kiss, there would be plenty of time on the ride between here and Brookline.

  ****

  Half an hour later, Solina wondered if she dreamed the interlude in the snow. Wiley had become taciturn. His teasing demeanor had vanished, and the tension she noticed around his mouth whenever they passed under a streetlight was worrisome. Perhaps he simply needed to concentrate on driving, the roads were very slick, but something about that didn’t ring true. Wiley appeared to be the kind of man who wouldn’t be cowed by weather.

  Add in her own unease at this unexpected adventure and she sure wished for some conversation to lift the tension. That being the case, she was obviously the one who needed to initiate.

  “Tell me about your family, Wiley.”

  He grunted, as if the distraction might be unwelcome.

  “Or, if you’d rather, maybe more about your team,” Solina amended. Perhaps family was a sore subject. She could commiserate. If Wiley asked her for family details, she’d definitely deflect to another subject.

  He let out a sigh. “I’m one of seven,” he allowed, going with family. “I have three older brothers and three older sisters.”

  “You’re the baby,” she interjected cautiously.

  “I am,” he agreed. “My oldest brother just turned fifty. He’s married with three boys.” Wiley snorted. “Yeah, kids… Two of them are married with offspring of their own.”

  Solina marveled that as young as Wiley looked, he had great-nephews. She didn’t interrupt, waiting to hear more.

  “So that’s Dusty. Then comes Sali. She’s forty-eight, also married with kids. Gavin is next at forty-six, then Nita, who’s forty-five. They’re the brains of the family and went to college. They don’t live in Oklahoma anymore, but have families, too, and visit frequently, like me.”

  She thought it was nice that Wiley had close ties to his siblings. Solina tamped down her envy and listened.

  “Then come the twins, Adan and Ayita. It’s hard to believe they’re both forty-three. They were the closest thing I had to playmates among my siblings. Ayita is married with three kids, but Adan is still assessing the market.” A smile touched his lips as his mood lightened. Solina guessed that Adan was the player in the family.

  She couldn’t hold in her next question. “And your parents are how old?”

  “Mom just turned seventy-one, and dad’s seventy.” Now he gave a full-on smile, completely over his funk. “He always teases her that she married a younger man.”

  Solina waited again, sensing he would offer more.

  “My parents own a ranch southeast of Tulsa. My dad, like his father-in-law before him, raises horses there. My elisi lives in a cabin on the far side of the property, continuing to give her two cents’ worth on how things should be managed.” He said this with so much love in his voice, Solina had to ask.

  “Who’s Elisi?”

  “Oh. Elisi is Cherokee for “grandmother”. Since my agiduda, my grandfather, passed away three years ago, she’s our clan’s most respected elder. She lords over all of us in a loving way.” This statement accompanied another tip up of Wiley’s lips.

  “I’m sorry about your grandfather,” she murmured. What would it be like to know one’s grandparents so intimately?

  “That’s okay. He was ninety-seven. He lived a good life.”

  “So much family,” Solina mused. “How many still live near your parents?”

  “All but me, Gavin and Nita. But only Dusty, Ayita and her husband still work on the ranch.”

  It was a lot to take in. Growing up, it had just been Solin
a and her parents. There was an entire world of difference between the two of them. More than he could possibly imagine. She momentarily wondered how he would relate to her childhood stories. She imagined he’d grown up wild and free, riding horses and roaming the countryside.

  “Do you miss it?” She couldn’t keep the wistfulness out of her question.

  He paused thoughtfully. “When I joined the military, I didn’t think I would. It felt like we lived in the middle of nowhere, and I wanted to explore the world, you know?”

  Solina kept her mouth shut. Their childhoods couldn’t have been more polar opposites.

  “But now, even though I have a life here, a good job and great friends, I understand the value of family and what I was taught growing up.”

  He stopped, making Solina think there remained a piece of his puzzle he had yet to reveal. Could it be his wish for a woman and family of his own? Solina shouldn’t have thrilled at the thought. That wasn’t what she wanted from Wiley. And it was a good thing, too. When he found a wife, it certainly wouldn’t be a dysfunctional woman like her. Even though part of her longed for children, her more pragmatic side told her she had no clue how to be a mother. Better she stop thinking about the possibility of more than sex with Wiley. They could both get hurt.

  Chapter Seven

  Wiley eyed the snow piled up in his parking spot. Could the SUV manage to get over the large chunks spewed up by the passing snowplows? Not without some help. He huffed and looked toward the sleeping form beside him. He hated to disturb her, but he had no choice.

  “Solina?” He placed a hand on her shoulder and gently shook her.

  “Mmm?” Slowly, she came awake and sat up, blinking in the light from the street outside.

  “I need you to take the wheel. I have to clear a spot to park, and if the plows come by again, they won’t appreciate my vehicle being in the middle of the road.”

  She blinked again. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Drive around the block.”

  “What?” She came fully awake. “I can’t do that. I’ve never driven something this big before.”