The Class of '93 Trilogy: Deadly Briefs

by Felicia Forella

  She chided herself for that uncharitable thought. She'd been the one to initiate sex, not him. It was mean of her to chalk all his motivation up to getting back in bed.

  As the miles rolled by, they fell into a companionable silence, allowing her thoughts to drift.

  Dinner had been an amazing feat, a delight for the senses. The live music tempted them to dance between courses, stirring their appetite for more food and each other. Now they sat under the stars, the night a bit chilly as the breeze blew off the resort's lake.

  But Erika didn't care. Aiden had draped his jacket over her shoulders and tucked her by his side. He surrounded her, making her feel safe and warm, soft and feminine. Burying her nose in the lapels, she breathed deeply of his scent, soap and clean male. She longed to go upstairs where she could indulge her senses in all of him.

  He'd gone to such lengths to make everything perfect for her first time. He'd wanted to wait until they both had an off-campus overnight at the same time. He didn't want to rush the experience by taking advantage of coinciding days away from the Academy. They'd used those precious free hours to satisfy the intense urges they brought out in each other, but Aiden refused to make love to her until everything was “perfect” and they had “all the time in the world.” As much as she enjoyed their oral sex sessions, giving and receiving, she was ready to make love. She was more than ready.

  He'd reserved a room at one of Colorado Springs’ most exclusive resorts. He'd taken her to dinner at one of the elegant onsite restaurants. Instead of taking her upstairs to their room at the conclusion of the meal and stripping off the little black dress to reveal the sexy black lace matching bra and panty set, both of which she'd bought just for this evening, he'd suggested a stroll out by the lake.

  "Erika?"

  His voice sounded different, tinged with a tone she'd never before heard. Leaning away from the warmth of his body, she looked in his eyes. They held an uncertainty at odds with his commanding personality.

  He shoved his hands in his pockets, then continued. “A brand new chapter in our lives is about to begin."

  "I can't wait to graduate."

  "The thought of graduating has made me realize something. I don't want to move on to the next phase of my life without you.” When he pulled his hand out, he palmed a small jeweler's box. “Erika,” his voice cracked as he whispered her name and she knew what was coming.

  Her heart stopped for a beat and then lodged in her throat, pounding with such force as to make swallowing difficult. She'd imagined this moment, but never dreamed it would come true, that he loved her as much as she loved him.

  "Erika,” he cleared his throat, “will you marry me?” He popped open the black velvet box to reveal a stunning offset marquis-shaped diamond.

  Tears burned her eyes, a single drop rolling down her cheek. Afraid that if she spoke, she'd cry, she nodded her head. He plucked the ring from its holder and slipped it on her finger. His jacket slid to the bench as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close enough that she could feel the tremors wracking his body.

  "I've never been so scared,” he whispered against her hair.

  "Not even when we had to go to jump school?"

  "I'd freefall without a chute before I'd do this again."

  "Then it's a good thing I plan to stay married to you until death do us part.” Her heart soared at the thought of being Erika Dalton-Greene, Aiden's wife.

  "Which is exactly why I hope you'll request a safer job assignment, one that will make it easier for you to be with me.” The words suggested one thing, the tone of his voice demanded another.

  "You expect me to opt out of joining the Air Force Security Agency?"

  "Yes, I do. A wife's place is with her husband."

  "Are you serious?” Where did this Neanderthal attitude come from?

  "Of course I am."

  "Why is this the first I've heard of it?"

  "Maybe because this is the first we've ever talked about marriage.” Sarcasm did not become him, not now.

  "I'm not willing to give up my position with the AFSA. I've worked hard the past four years to get right where I want to be."

  "It's not like I'm asking you to give up your career. Just to take it in a different direction, one more in tune with marriage and a family."

  Erika looked at him with new eyes and knowledge; she didn't like what she saw one bit. She knew better than to argue with him; he was the proverbial rock and a hard place when he made up his mind. He was not on a first name basis with the word compromise.

  Hot tears pricked at the back of her eyes, but she refused to let him see her cry. Her fingers trembled as she removed the ring he'd given her. She held it in her open palm for him to take back. “If you're willing to meet me halfway, we can talk. Otherwise, we're through. I'll take a taxi back to campus."

  Pushing to her feet with as much dignity as she could muster, she headed for the lobby and didn't look back.

  * * * *

  The city of Asheville, North Carolina sprawled in front of them, nestled in the lush green hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Even in early spring, the abundance of color struck Aiden's untrained eye. His ex-wife, Nancy, had asked repeatedly for them to take a mini-vacation to this area, but he'd been too busy to take so much as a day off for a long weekend. In truth, he'd had no desire to make any memories with her. Not that he realized the reason for his reluctance at the time. If he'd been more in touch with his emotions, he might have managed to avoid hurting Nancy. She deserved so much more than he'd been able to give her.

  Sitting beside Erika in the cozy confines of the rental car, he understood now. Now that he yearned to make memories with her. His chest tightened, aching with the realization such wishes would never be filled. They had their time together while tracking down Sonny, no more. Once he'd succeeded in capturing the bastard and putting him in a US jail this time, Aiden had to let Erika go on with her life.

  It was best for her. At some point during his divorce proceedings, Aiden came to understand he had nothing but heartache and pain to offer a woman, and in one instance, he'd brought death to a female who'd trusted him. He'd hurt Erika once before—he'd been unable to change who he was or what he believed—and she'd left him. Nancy would probably never forgive him for marrying her when his heart wasn't in it. Oh, he'd tried to love her the way she deserved to be, but he'd never been successful, and it was essential that she be free to find the man who could. So she'd left him.

  In between, there'd been Natalie. He'd been a newly promoted captain and she'd been an eager first lieutenant, prepared to follow his every command. He knew how dangerous Sonny was—he'd tracked the man for almost a year, pushing, waiting for the drug lord to make the slightest mistake. That chance had finally come when Sonny slipped up and used his cell phone, allowing them to get a drop on his location. The US-backed Cancuen government had ample evidence of drug trafficking and crimes to send Sonny to jail for the rest of his life, if only they could find him. With the help of an elite team of navy, army, and Air Force special operatives, the Cancuen military tightened the noose around Sonny's neck. Aiden prepared to spring the trap door and let the bastard hang. Except he forgot one key piece to the equation. Cornered rats are vicious. When Sonny came gunning for him and Natalie, Aiden hadn't reacted fast enough to throw his body in front of hers. Aiden's shots took out both of Sonny's knees, enabling Aiden to kick the weapon out of Sonny's hands and wait for back-up. Which didn't arrive in time to help Natalie, who died in his arms.

  An Air Force inquiry might have cleared him in her death, but it didn't absolve the guilt. He should have known how Sonny would react. As the officer in charge, he should have protected Natalie. Even the absolution from her devastated parents didn't assuage the guilt. Praise and accolades for the successful capture of one of the most powerful drug lords of the decade felt hollow. All the counseling in the world couldn't prevent him from getting out when his five years were up. An officer unable to protect those in his comma
nd was worthless and dangerous.

  From the corner of his eye, he watched Erika drive the car. Knowing how lethal Sonny was, he could be helpful to Erika in capturing the criminal. But afterward, he'd have to walk away before he broke her heart again.

  "Do you want to check that pamphlet again?"

  They'd stopped for gas at the North Carolina border, grabbed a handful of brochures on the Biltmore Estate, and changed seats, putting Erika back behind the wheel. They decided to take a chance and see if the little inn on the grounds had any vacancies for Tuesday night; then they would find someplace to enjoy a late lunch. He felt more than a little strange taking a tourist break in the middle of their adventure, for lack of a better word, but his gut knew Erika was right. They needed to keep anyone trying to find them off balance.

  He'd let her call the shots, for now, despite the fact that he feared he'd chew his tongue off if he had to stay silent much longer. Once he combined current intelligence from her CO with the information from his Internet search and his past knowledge of Sonny, he'd be an equal partner in this mission. No one knew how to catch the slimy bastard better than him.

  "According to this, when we get off at exit fifty, there should be signs directing us in."

  "That sounds easy enough."

  "Honey, you got me this far, I trust you to get us to the hotel.” And he found he did. That didn't mean he was willing to let her do everything. Just that it surprised him to realize he'd not grudgingly followed Erika, but he trusted her decisions and her ability.

  Or he did until she jerked the car to keep from running off the road.

  "I, uh, had to swerve to miss that hunk of truck tire."

  He cast a surreptitious glance in the sideview mirror but saw only clear road. He must have shocked her with his comment as much as he'd surprised himself.

  A short time later, they strolled into the lobby of the inn on the estate grounds, a posh environment if he'd ever seen one. He felt out of place in clothes he'd been wearing for almost forty-eight hours, torn, and soot stained. Shit, why hadn't he suggested they stop along the way? By the time he reached the reservation desk, he'd pulled out his wallet and prepared to hand over his credit card.

  Erika caught his hand and subtly encouraged him to put it away. Damn, he'd forgotten, again. She handed her card over to the clerk instead. “My husband and I would like a room for the night, if you have one available."

  "Of course we do, Mrs.,” she glanced at the name, “Lloyd.” She went through her welcoming spiel, casting disdainful looks in his direction. “Check in time isn't until three, but you are welcome to have lunch, browse, or explore the estate until your room is ready. If you want, the bellman can store your luggage and then take it directly to your room if you're not back."

  "Oh, that's all right. We'll keep it with us. Is there a place my husband can freshen up? He got a bit, well, dirty, changing a flat tire."

  "Certainly.” She pointed in the direction of the restrooms as she handed over the key cards and turned her attention to another matter.

  As they stepped out of hearing range, Aiden pulled Erika close. “That must have been one heck of a flat tire I had to change, Mrs. Lloyd."

  "Indeed, Mr. Lloyd. I think the tire won the battle.” She laughed as they headed in the direction the clerk indicated.

  He was right to trust her. She'd smoothly covered for his disheveled appearance. She knew what she was doing. Hell, being a part of the AFSA and all that entailed must be second nature to her now; she'd been with the agency for all of her military career.

  Her laughter washed over him in waves that were alternately calming and arousing. His mind raced forward to the night ahead of them. Oh, yeah.

  The rest of the day passed in a blur of activity as they ate lunch, shopped for some much needed clothing and toiletries, and explored the quaint town of Asheville. Aiden felt a strange sense of disquietude as he played the part of tourist, Erika at his side. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had a vacation. Not while he'd been in the Air Force. His leave time then had been spent visiting his parents or his siblings. Not even when he'd gotten out. He'd been too busy in law school, working one job or another in an attempt to pad his resume. Once he'd been hired as an associate with one of the most prestigious law firms in Ohio, he'd been consumed with the desire to log as many billable hours as possible and make partner.

  Yet here he was, on the run for his life from a vendetta-seeking drug lord, strolling the streets of a popular tourist destination, with a beautiful woman at his side and thoughts of the passionate night ahead of them keeping him on the edge of arousal. That juxtaposition kept him unbalanced, something he didn't enjoy.

  He'd only felt this lack of equilibrium once before in his life—during those long painful months after Natalie had been killed. Back then, he'd been dead inside. Now, he was alive, on the edge of something.

  Dammit. The time had come to regain control of the situation. He'd continue to play along and follow Erika's lead. After all, she knew what she was doing. Once they got to Bolling, he'd argue his case with this mysterious colonel. If he couldn't persuade the man, he didn't deserve to have passed the bar.

  * * * *

  He wanted to slam the handset back in the base. Such an unexplainable show of emotion would draw unwelcome questions. Ones with no answers—or at least answers he could give to the others sitting in the room.

  He'd told Sonny not to act so quickly after the car bomb failed to connect with its intended target. He'd told him that another attempt on Aiden's life would be disastrous. When did the arrogant asshole heed anyone's opinion but his own? Hell, he'd even counseled Sonny's second-in-command, Ricardo, to advise his boss to stay under house arrest. It wasn't like the fact he was “under arrest” prevented him from conducting business as usual.

  But, no. Miguel Ramos did whatever the hell he wanted.

  Now, his actions had driven Erika and Aiden to ground. No one, supposedly not even the colonel, knew where they'd gone.

  Thank God.

  When he'd learned that Sonny had escaped and sought revenge against Aiden, his gut had twisted like a pretzel. Only when he'd learned Erika had been sent to protect and help Aiden did he relax. If anyone could pull off the impossible with the odds stacked against her, it was her. She was the best officer in the Air Force Security Agency.

  It was the only thing that made this balancing act bearable.

  He'd just learned the colonel had wrangled him a two week TDY—temporary work duty—to Langley Air Force Base, ostensibly to do some training on the F-22 Raptor. If he and the colonel knew Erika the way they thought they did, she'd turn up there sooner or later. He'd tip off Sonny too late to do anything, but the contact would keep the relationship building.

  He hated that the government had him using Erika and Aiden as bait.

  Hell, if it weren't for the fact he got to strap a top secret fighter jet to his ass and fly like nobody's business, he'd really hate his job some days.

  Chapter 8

  "My dear, are you wearing a thong?"

  Erika fought back a giggle at the look on Aiden's face, a cross between surprise and arousal, as he slid his hand down to caress her bottom. She took a discreet step away from him, all too aware of the probability of a camera capturing their actions. She'd seen enough elevator surveillance footage to know what went on when the sliding doors closed, especially if one of the walls was mirrored. The idea of putting on a peep show for some horny security guard repulsed her.

  "If you're a good boy, maybe you'll find out in a few minutes.” The tension had been simmering all evening, building to volcanic explosion level with every touch during dinner at the inn's dining room.

  "I like the sound of that."

  What she liked was the look in his eyes as he scanned her body. If she didn't know better, she'd swear he had x-ray vision and could actually see her matching bra and panty set. She'd bought them on a whim in the hotel lobby gift shop, when Aiden had moved discreetly to anothe
r area of the store to allow her to purchase “unmentionables,” as he'd called them. The soft, feminine set contrasted with the simple, utilitarian undergarments she usually wore. Combined with Aiden's attention and subtle caresses, she'd never felt more desirable or more appreciated as a woman. As herself.

  Stepping out of the elevator onto their floor, Aiden grabbed her hand and pulled her down the hall to their room. She laughed aloud at his behavior, so at odds with his actions all afternoon and evening. He'd been the perfect gentleman, courting her but not overwhelming her, to the point where she wondered if he wanted her again. Then she'd catch him staring at her when he thought she wasn't paying attention and she'd see the naked longing.

  He fumbled with the keycard, missing the slot several times before he finally managed to slip it in and open the door.

  "Darling, I hope you don't have that much trouble with me."

  He shot her a dark look over his shoulder, accompanied by a growl. “I won't have any trouble sliding things where they need to be."

  Oh dear, she thought, as he yanked her inside and let the door slam shut behind them. Maybe she shouldn't have taunted him.

  It was her last rational thought as he pushed her back to the wall and claimed her mouth. His lips shifted over hers until he found the right angle of attack and then he plundered. As she gasped in pleasure, his tongue thrust, stroking along hers. He played with her, knowingly amplifying her desire, his arms wrapped around her waist steadying her.

  She plunged her fingers in his thick hair and worked at the elastic band at the nape of his neck. Once she'd freed the soft strands from their short queue, she gripped handfuls, keeping his head right where she wanted it, close to hers.

  Her wits scattered as he continued his assault, narrowing her world to the press of his mouth to hers and the feel of his body trapping hers, a willing victim to the pleasure he inflicted. Every flick of his tongue sent tingling waves crashing through her body, where they concentrated in her nipples and her clit. She stretched, catlike, in an effort to rub the aroused flesh, to heighten the sensation.