by Chloe Lang
“There’s shrapnel in my legs and shoulder. Otherwise I’m just fine. I’m about thirty feet from you. Don’t move around too much, Coop. That drop is a doozy.”
He looked out the window and saw Brock up the hill. “What about you, McGill?”
The radio remained silent.
“McGill, what’s your position?”
“Coop, I can see him. He’s not moving.”
“Damn it. Hang on.” He radioed in their situation, requesting assistance. “Help is on the way.”
He would be of no use hanging upside down, even with his weapon in hand. Every inch he moved sent pain shooting through his body. No matter. He had a job to do. He unfastened the seat belt and gravity sent him to the Humvee’s roof with a thud. The vehicle rocked again, and he held his breath until it settled.
“What the hell are you doing in there?” Brock asked.
“Break dancing, what else?”
“Just be careful, buddy. I wouldn’t want to lose you.”
“I’ll do my best, but you do the same.” He hurt all over, but carefully flipped his body around so that he was crouching upright in the overturned vehicle, which rocked slightly. Thankfully, it finally stopped moving after a few breathless seconds.
He looked out the broken windows and saw Brock lying on the ground, but no one else was in sight.
“Didn’t think today was going to end up like this, did you?” Brock asked quietly.
“Nope.”
“What’s the plan, Coop?”
“Fire on any enemy that shows up until help arrives.”
“Just be sure to aim above me. You know how bad a shot you are.”
“I’ll do my best.” He grinned, loving his friend’s sarcasm. Actually, he was one of the best sharpshooters on the base. The only one better than him was Brock. “Hey buddy, you’re out in the open without cover. Lay still and play dead. I’ve got your back.”
“I was planning on practicing my break dancing while we were waiting. No pun intended.” Brock’s sense of humor during the darkest days and nights was something that helped him during their tour in Afghanistan together.
“Quiet, Coop. Listen.”
He closed his eyes and could hear men speaking Pashto. Their voices were getting louder. They were headed their direction.
When the rebels came into view, he fired on them, taking out three right away. But the Humvee’s perilous position and gunfire sent the vehicle over the cliff.
Why hadn’t he left the vehicle? He and Brock would pay for his mistake with their lives. Then everything went black.
When he opened his eyes, fellow soldiers and medics surrounded him.
“He’s coming to,” one of the men said. “You’re one lucky bastard, Cooper.”
“What about Brock and McGill? Are they okay?”
The medic sighed. “McGill didn’t make it.”
“And Brock?”
“He’s missing, Coop.”
His gut tightened. “The bastards must have taken him.” He tried to get up, but the medics forced him back down. “We’ve got to find him.”
“You’re in no shape to move, buddy,” one of the other soldiers said. “There are several teams looking for him. Don’t worry. We’ll find him.”
But Cooper realized the odds were slim that Brock would ever be found. The rebels knew this area better than anyone. They had networks of caves that they could hide in for weeks without ever coming out.
Seeing the ropes hanging from the cliff, he realized these men had repelled down the mountain to get to him. He owed them his life, but all he could think about was Brock. He was in the hands of the enemy because of his mistake.
After only a few days, Cooper was released from the infirmary and returned to desk duty until his broken ribs healed fully. His commander was committed to finding Brock as much as he was. But months went by without any sign of Brock or the rebels. Then one day his commander called him into his office to meet a CIA lead. Easton Black unearthed new intel on Brock’s and four other captives’ location. The commander, knowing how close he and Brock were, assigned him to the offensive extraction mission with Black and his team.
What they found in the cave shocked him. Two of the five captives were dead. The other three were in bad shape, but Brock had suffered the worst, having been in captivity the longest.
Those bastards had tortured his friend—months of pain because of his mistake of staying inside the Humvee. He’d carried that guilt with him ever since.
Still, Brock had come so far. No more nightmares, thank God. The dark cloud that had consumed him from the torture he’d endured had finally lifted. Easton Black had recruited them into the Agency. Joining the CIA had been a big part of Brock’s recovery, and his, too.
But after all the time that had passed since his capture, Brock was still not willing to commit to a permanent relationship with any woman. Brock was always game for fun at the club, but that was as far as it ever went. He claimed to want to start a family someday. But when was someday going to come?
Cooper watched Grace walk into her house and shut the door. He couldn’t get her out of his mind. The first moment he had laid eyes on her he’d been smitten. She was so gorgeous. Her tight, little body had perfect curves. And those green eyes? Wow.
Although Brock had said she was beautiful, that was as far as it ever went. Whenever the topic was brought up that she might be worth pursuing, he would change the subject.
Destiny wasn’t the first place they’d shared a woman before, but it was the only place they had a chance of the kind of future they both wanted—finding a woman they could love and build a family together. Once Easton Black had told them about how Destiny, Colorado, welcomed all kinds of families, Cooper had convinced Brock that they should take the assignment with Shannon’s Elite.
“Grace coming to the club tonight?” He wondered if she might have the power to break down his friend’s thick defenses.
“I don’t know. She didn’t say.” Brock’s evasion didn’t surprise him. That’s what he did when things got too serious and uncomfortable. It was his way of staying in control and keeping the upper hand. “And don’t start with me, Coop, about how we should ask her on a date. Okay?”
“Whatever you say, buddy.” Time to start pushing. “If not we, than me.”
“What do you mean by that?” Brock asked flatly.
“I’m here to ask her out.” He studied Brock’s reaction, which was always hard to read. “We came to Destiny for many reasons, but the main reason has always been for us to find a woman we could fall in love with, to start a family together, and to build a future we both want. Grace is perfect for both of us, but you keep holding back. I have no idea why, because you won’t even talk to me about it. So that’s the purpose, I’m here to see if she would go on a date, although I would rather it be us together, Brock.”
“You got to do what you got to do, buddy.” Without another word, Brock walked away.
Have I gone too far? But there was no turning back now. All he could hope for was that Brock would eventually come around. He just has to.
* * * *
When Brock stepped next to his car, he turned around and watched Coop head down the path to Grace’s little house. He had no doubt that she would say yes to his best friend’s offer of a date.
His jaw tightened. This wasn’t the way he wanted things to go down. Not by a long shot.
He hadn’t been able to get Grace off his mind since he’d first seen her. He’d been teaching the boys to swim last summer, when she walked by the pool in her cute yellow dress. She had the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen and a tight, little body to match. She turned and her bright green eyes captured his completely. Then one of the boys had asked, “How did you get all those scars?”
Grace’s beautiful eyes had widened. He’d felt his entire body tense. Without a shirt on, he knew she could see everything. So he’d done what he always did when things got tough. He’d smiled and made a joke. “Yo
u should see the other guy.”
When he looked back at where Grace had been, she was gone.
She must have thought I looked disgusting that day.
Since then, he made it a point to never be without a shirt on in her presence. His preferred Dom gear was leather pants and military boots. Nothing else. But that had changed because of her. Now he always went to Phase Four in a black shirt.
He heard footsteps coming up behind him. He swung around and saw Emmett, Cody, and Bryant Stone, the owners of Stone Ranch and the founders of the Boys Ranch.
The three cowboys were good men and had a wonderful wife in Amber.
Coop was right about everything. Grace was all Brock had ever dreamed of in a woman. She was smart, caring, and could be so funny. She would make such a beautiful bride. Having the kind of life that the Stone brothers had with Amber was something he wanted for him and Coop. But Grace deserved better than a man covered in scars both inside and out. Still, his best friend was perfect for her.
“Hey, Brock.” Emmett shook his hand.
“Glad you could meet us,” Cody said.
Bryant grinned. “Hope Easton doesn’t dock your pay.”
“He won’t. What’s this all about, fellas?”
Emmett answered, “We wanted to ask you in person if you would be willing to go on the campout with us and the boys on Wednesday.”
“Don’t the kids have school?”
He shook his head. “Nope. Destiny ISD is having a teacher conference Wednesday through Friday. Only the elementary school is open on Friday afternoon so that the students can have their Valentine parties, so we’ll be back around noon that day. The rest are off until Monday.”
“Valentine’s Day? This Saturday, right?” Brock liked the Stone brothers. They were great guys and were married to a wonderful woman. “What do you three cowboys have planned for Amber?”
“We booked one of Gold’s special rooms at the club,” Emmett answered. “We want to give her a night to remember.”
“I’m sure she will.” Though he’d never been invited to use rooms V, B, P, and M, Brook knew about them, being one of Phase Four’s resident Doms. Most members didn’t even know they existed.
“Back to the matter at hand,” Bryant said. “What about the campout?”
“Of course, but why in person and not over the phone?”
“We could use your help, Brock,” Cody confided. “All the boys will be thrilled that you’re coming, but we especially need your help with Michael.”
Bryant nodded. “We just haven’t been able to get through to him. Grace suggested we ask you.”
“Grace suggested me?” That surprised him.
“She did,” Emmett said. “Grace thinks he will open up to you faster than anyone else.”
Brock wondered why she hadn’t said so herself. She had ample opportunity just a little bit ago when he’d talked to her about the session with Michael.
“I’d be happy to go, guys. Things are quiet with Shannon’s Elite, and I have some vacation time to use.”
“And if you can get Michael out of that black hoodie and torn jeans, we would appreciate it,” Cody said.
“I’ll do my best.” He was fairly certain that the choice of clothes was only a protective measure for Michael, a kind of armor in his mind. But Michael had a soft spot for little Joey. The teenager, despite his bravado and rebellious remarks, had been very protective of Joey since their arrival. The two boys reminded Brock of brothers, even though they had come from different parts of the country.
“What about your buddy Cooper?” Emmett asked. “You think he might want to come, too?”
Though his and Coop’s backgrounds were just as different as Michael and Joey’s, he and Coop were also like brothers. “He’ll be out of town for work. He’s got to go to Langley with Black.”
“Too bad. Tell him we’ll miss him.”
“I’ll let him know.”
The Stone brothers thanked him and then went back to the barn.
Brock got in his car. Coop was likely asking Grace right now to go on a date.
Why do I have to be this way? But he knew why.
He started his car and drove off, wishing things could be different. But they couldn’t. I can’t get rid of the past. It’s with me all the time. She deserves better.
Chapter Three
Grace kept her eyes closed, enjoying the feel of the warm water surrounding her body. Her thoughts drifted to Brock and Cooper. Images of the two sexy men floated in her mind. She could see Cooper wearing his Dom outfit—black leather vest, pants, and boots. Next to him was Brock, wearing the same swimming trunks she’d seen on him that first day.
She ran her right hand over her breasts, imagining it was Brock touching her. She sent her left hand down between her thighs, dreaming it was Cooper’s hand moving there.
Cooper threaded his fingers over her pussy, and Brock pinched her nipples.
She moaned, feeling the pressure build inside her.
Brock kissed her on the lips and she melted into him, tracing her hands over his muscled chest. In the oddest way, his scars added to his appeal.
She gazed into his deep blue eyes and trembled. He lifted her out of the tub. He and Cooper carried her to the main stage at Phase Four. Every person inside the club was looking at the three of them. Even though she was trembling with excitement, pride swelled inside her chest, knowing the crowd could see her in the arms of her two sexy Doms.
Cooper guided her to the Saint Andrew’s Cross at the center of the stage, while Brock placed several paddles, dildos, and other toys on the metal table next to the cross. She was a little nervous, not knowing exactly what they planned on doing to her, but she also couldn’t wait to find out.
Skillfully, Cooper cuffed her wrists and ankles so that her naked backside was facing him, Brock, and their audience.
Brock moved next to her and cupped her chin. “You’re ours, Grace. All ours.”
How long had she dreamed of him saying those words to her? “I am, Master. I am yours.”
He smiled and then kissed her again. His tongue shot past her lips and into her hungry mouth. As he deepened his kiss, she could feel him placing nipple clamps on her breasts. The whole scene made her soaking wet.
Cooper held out a big red paddle in front of her. “This is for you, sub. This will give you so much pleasure.”
“Yes, Master. It is for me.” Her trembles intensified and she could feel tiny sparks of electricity dancing over her skin. The warm water in the tub splashed over her entire body.
The first slap came from Cooper, delivering the delicious sting that sent her reeling. Another landed on her ass from Brock, and her thoughts softened and her desires shot up. Another from Cooper. And another Brock. And another. And another. Again and again. Over and over. The paddling sent her into that dreamy subspace she craved so very much.
The crowd applauded their approval. Being on display with Brock and Cooper made her feel so beautiful. Heat burned her insides, and the pressure continued to rise.
Cooper began licking her pussy and Brock her ass. She writhed between them, getting so close to the orgasm she desperately needed.
“You want us to fuck you, don’t you, sub?” Brock’s hungry tone ignited a new round of hot shivers.
“Yes, Master. Please. Oh please. Yes.”
“Not yet, sweetheart. Not yet.” Cooper removed the nipple clamps and began sucking on her breasts.
She could feel Brock reaching around her while he continued licking her ass. When he pressed on her clit, she climaxed, hearing the crowd stomping their feet on Phase Four’s wooden floor.
Knock. Knock.
“Yes. God yes!”
Electricity shot through her body, sparking every nerve ending.
Knock. Knock.
She sat up in the tub. “Damn.”
That noise hadn’t come from the crowd in Phase Four she’d created in her mind. That was something real—an actual knock. A knock at my door.<
br />
She considered not answering, but thought better of it. No one ever knocked on her door unless they had news about one of the boys. The Stones were good about letting her have her privacy.
Quickly, she grabbed her robe and shot to the front door. When she opened it, she was shocked to see Cooper standing on her porch.
“Hi, Grace.” His stare trailed down her body and back up again, finally locking in on her eyes. A devilish smile appeared on his handsome face. “Did I interrupt you?”
She felt heat flood her cheeks. There was no way he could know what she’d been doing. Or could he? “I was just taking a bath.” She could hear the nervousness in her voice but hoped he couldn’t. “Would you like to come in?”
“Thank you, but I just came by to ask you to go to the club tonight.”
“I would love to go with you,” she blurted out a little too quickly. But there was no taking her words back now. No sense trying to be a coy or mysterious. She’d put all her cards on the table before she had a chance to think.
Cooper smiled. “Great. I’ll pick you up at seven tonight.”
“I’ll be ready.”
He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Until then.”
He turned and walked away, leaving her with butterflies.
She shut the door. “Oh my God. He finally asked me out. I get to wear my new sexy outfit for him.”
She looked at the clock on the mantel of her fireplace. Six hours before Cooper would be at her doorstep again. It was too early to get ready. How in the world was she going to pass the time?
She giggled, recalling Gya Gaynor’s hit song “Waiting For You.” For years Miss Gaynor had been one of her all-time favorite singers. Still was. When Grace had moved to Destiny, she’d been shocked to learn that Miss Gaynor regularly came to town to perform with the local band Wolfe Mayhem. Turned out that the singer was married to two men. Miss Gaynor lived in Wilde, Nevada, a sister city of Destiny in every way.
Grace got out her cell and logged into iTunes. As the song “Waiting For You” began to play, she went to the refrigerator to get something for lunch.