Under Fire
Page 26
He eased farther into her and watched the way her mouth formed a small “o” when he was pressed deep against her.
“Shit, Lou,” he said, holding on to her hips as he slowly pulled out. God, he loved that view. He watched his dick, coated in her wetness, and wished he’d taken a moment to taste her. But he was a greedy man, and there would be time for finessing later. Easing back in, faster this time, he wrapped his hand in her ponytail. It had surprised him when it had been one of the things that worked. Careful never to pull so it hurt, he loved the feel of her hair wrapped around his hand.
“Please,” she cried. “Faster.”
Her wish. His command.
“Like this?” he said, speeding the pulse of his hips and savoring the way she began to tighten around him.
“Yes. Just like that,” she said, keeping her eyes focused on him.
Dear God. She was going to kill him.
With one hand on her hip, the other wrapped tightly in her hair, and his eyes on the two of them in the mirror, the telltale tightening of his core warned him he was going to come soon. He stepped his legs a little wider, changing the angle, and Louisa gasped.
“Oh, please. Yes,” she said, her movements changing from smooth and controlled to jerky, as they always did when she came. He loved to make her lose control that way.
When she clamped down around him, he was lost. His balls tightened, as did his abs, as he pressed down on her hips and came deep inside her.
“Lou,” he cried out, moving back and forth, working every ounce of sensation from his body.
He fell forward, leaving a trail of kisses along her shoulder blades. “I love this mirror, Lou.”
Lou laughed. “Well, it’s going to be here for a really long time.”
“Good. Because I intend to take you in front of it often. I love you, Lou.”
She turned her head and he kissed her deeply, softly, at peace with her, his life, and where he was going.
“I love you, too,” she replied.
He slipped out of her and dealt with the condom while she hurried along to clean up. Part of him wanted to join her, but part of him knew they’d never make it over to Mac’s for dinner if he did.
Life had never looked better, although they were both busier than ever. He’d had his final session with his therapist before he’d left on this job. It had taken months to pull apart everything he thought he knew about himself and war. And Louisa had been there every step of the way, even as she’d busied herself establishing True North Industries, her own research laboratory. And they were still unraveling everything to do with Vasilii.
When Cabe had walked out with Vasilii over his shoulder, Six had been torn between staying with Louisa and storming over to Vasilii to pound on the other side of his face. But the guy had been a sniveling wreck. Vasilii had turned himself into the police and given evidence against the men. After the fire had been put out and investigators had been allowed back inside, they had conducted a thorough search of the building for Ivan, but no remains had been found.
Six hoped that if the guy was smart enough to get out of the house in the chaos, he was now very far away.
By the time they arrived at Mac’s, Cabe and the rest of the guys were already there. Lou greeted Mac and Cabe warmly. A by-product of her ordeal seemed to be a new resilience to being around people, but only those she knew well. It still wasn’t easy for her, and the rest of the team, especially the new hires who brought Eagle Securities’ personnel up to twelve in total, were treated to a wave. But the small increase in newfound confidence looked good on her, even if she still stacked shit and alphabetized things when she was out of her depth.
Louisa had insisted on making the birthday cake for Cabe, and while Six would never admit it to another soul, especially not one of the guys he served with, he kinda liked the quiet domestication of carrying it into his friend’s home for her.
Once the food and cake had been eaten, Six made himself at home and grabbed a beer from the fridge, and when Mac’s cell phone rang, he left him to it.
Less than a minute or two later, Mac hurried back into the room and waved to him, signaling to grab Cabe.
“What’s up?” Six walked into his room and eyed the bag on the bed. “We got a job?” He hated the idea of leaving so soon.
“I gotta go,” Mac said. “Delaney is in Landstuhl.” He unplugged his chargers from the wall and shoved them into the front pocket of his pack.
“What the hell?” Six tugged his hand through his hair. “The place or the hospital? What happened?”
Mac shook his head and stopped what he was doing for a moment. “Hospital. I don’t know how she ended up there, but she isn’t fully lucid. All I know is that she’s been asking for me. I’m sorry guys, it means we’re going to be short for—”
“Shut up,” Cabe said. “You need to go. And we’ve got your back. Don’t worry about tickets. I’ll find you a flight while you are en route to the airport. I’ll text you details, okay?”
Mac nodded and shoved his coat into the top of his backpack. “Thanks, guys. I’ll let you know what’s what as soon as I get there.”
Cabe stood and slapped him on the back in a hug. “Take care, man.”
Six repeated the action.
“Lock up for me?” Mac said to Six, but he didn’t wait for a response.
“What do you make of that?” Cabe asked as the door to the condo slammed shut.
Six shook his head. “I don’t know, but I’m going to wrap the party up.”
When at last he had everyone out of the door, Six wandered to the kitchen and found Louisa wiping down the counter. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. Something about Delaney being injured had caused image after image to appear in his mind of what could have gone wrong in their rescue of Louisa. What if they’d hurt her? What if she’d been killed in the cross fire?
Louisa dropped the wet cloth into the water in the sink and placed her damp hands over his. Neither of them said a word, instead they stood in silence and looked out over the bay. Just being next to her calmed him.
“I’m sorry about Delaney,” Louisa said finally. “I hope she’s okay.”
Six pressed his nose to the soft skin of her neck and then kissed her just behind her ear. “From your lips to God’s ears,” he said. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if something had happened to you, Lou.”
She turned in his arms and placed her hands on either side of his face, a gesture that always warmed him from the inside out. “Well, we’ll never need to worry about that, because you didn’t let anything happen to me. You had my six,” she said stepping up onto her toes to kiss him deeply.
Yeah, he did. Having her back was something he intended to do for the rest of their lives. “And I always will. Especially if it’s naked.”
Louisa laughed as he’d intended, and it broke the mood. She reached forward and wrung the wet cloth, placing it over the faucet to dry, then pulled the plug to let the water drain.
Six handed her the towel to dry her hands, and she looked up at him. “I love you, Six,” she said, tilting her head to the side, letting her bangs fall away, a move he’d come to love. Because it meant he could see all of her.
“I love you, too, Lou,” he replied gruffly, wishing he had the courage and words to tell her everything she meant to him. “Ready to go home?”
Home.
“With you? Always.”
Six threw his arm over her shoulder and led her out of the door.
ALSO BY SCARLETT COLE
THE SECOND CIRCLE TATTOO SERIES
The Strongest Steel
The Fractured Heart
The Purest Hook
The Darkest Link
THE PRELOAD SERIES
Jordan Reclaimed
Elliott Redeemed
PRAISE FOR SCARLETT COLE
“Tattooed hero fans!! You’re gonna love this book!! So for anyone looking for a really freaking good, deliciously swo
ony, non-frustrating, sexy, fun romance with a dash of suspense all mixed together with a generous helping of protective, heart-melting, and tattooed Alpha male, THIS IS IT. This is the mac & cheese of contemporary romance.”
—Aestas Book Blog
“Cole has a winner in this debut novel and series opener … steamy romance, body art, and a little intrigue will keep readers up well past their bedtimes.”
—Library Journal Xpress Reviews
“Cole delivers a thrilling tale of new beginnings. The chemistry is as electric as the villain is creepy. This fast-paced read will leave you eager for the rest of the series.”
—RT Book Reviews
“One of those books that will hold you captive from the first word to the last. Author Scarlett Cole has penned an amazing story.… you will feel empathy, anger, warmth, fear, hope, and love with every word. The Strongest Steel is on my TRA (To Read Again) shelf and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next Second Circle Tattoos novel.”
—Fresh Fiction
“Scarlett Cole truly knows how to get readers invested in her characters and in the story. Her writing is excellent, and I’d love to read more from her. I’m definitely waiting with bated breath for the next book in this series.”
—Romance Reviews, Top Pick
“For her debut title, Ms. Cole has mastered suspense and complicated characters that you pray get that HEA. Well done!”
—Violetta Rand, author of the Devil’s Den series
“Poignant and intriguing. Scarlett Cole wrote a wonderful story full of emotion, mystery, and second chances. Make room for this on your keeper shelf.”
—Sarah Grimm, author of the Black Phoenix series
“After reading The Strongest Steel, Scarlett Cole has definitely been added to my list of must-read authors. I loved the instant connection between Harper and Trent … Swoon!”
—Life with Two Boys
“I AM IN LOVE!!!! That is all I can say about The Strongest Steel by Scarlett Cole. I am in love with Trent Andrews. I am in love with Harper Connelly. I am in love with this book. I am already in love with this series and this is only the first book released and I am in love with this author … my NEW FAVORITE book that I have read this year!”
—Everything Books by Heather
“Harper is probably my new favorite female character now. Put it on your TBR. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this book!”
—Book Disciple
“Wow … I [can’t] even sum up appropriate descriptors to tell you how much I loved this book. Pretty sure I’ve found myself a new series, because I’m already over here wanting to jump on a couch like Tom Cruise in excitement for the next book.”
—Wild Heart Reviews
“A beautiful story about letting go of the past and healing … Cole hit this one out of the park.”
—Avid Reader Amy’s Reviews
Scarlett Cole is a writer of contemporary romance and a two-time RITA finalist. Her debut, The Strongest Steel, was a Best Debut Goodreads Author Finalist 2015. Born in England, Scarlett traveled the world, living in Japan and the United States before settling in Canada where she met her own personal hero—all six and a half feet of him. She now lives with her husband and children in Manchester, England. Visit her at scarlettcole.com or on Twitter @ItsScarlettCole. Or sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Epilogue
Also by Scarlett Cole
Praise for Scarlett Cole
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
UNDER FIRE
Copyright © 2017 by Scarlett Cole.
All rights reserved.
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eISBN: 9781250128454
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St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / August 2017
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.