"Grab hold and put me inside you."
As if he'd hypnotized her, she slid back until she was directly over him. His cock twitched as she clasped it firmly, the blood surging through the large vein. She stroked up, covering the head while her thumb flicked at the sensitive flesh. If he thought to wrestle control back from her, he was in for a big surprise.
"Oh, God, baby, I need to be inside you."
As much as she enjoyed his begging, she liked the thought of him fucking her even more. Rising up on her knees, she guided the blunt head to the entrance of her body. His hips jerked up in a desperate effort to plunge but she felt the movement and shifted away. His tortured groan sounded as if it came from his toes. She looked down at his face, contorted with longing. The time had come to stop tormenting both of them. With one swift movement, she impaled herself, crying out as he filled her.
Unable to move or to catch her breath, Erika braced her hands on Aiden's abs and reveled in the feeling of utter satisfaction. Until she realized that she wasn't quite sure what to do next.
Almost as if he'd read her mind, Aiden instructed her to plant her feet flat on the bed. Then, with his hands still at her waist, he guided her movements so she bounced softly on him. His hips rose up as she came down, the resulting sensation unlike anything she'd previously experienced with him. Watching him, she noticed that his eyes shifted between her swinging breasts and her vagina.
"Your lips and your nipples are the same color when you're aroused."
Since he wasn't looking at her face, she knew to which set of lips he referred. Curious, she followed his gaze and watched as he pumped in and out of her. Seeing the action heightened the awareness. She felt the flare of the head slide deep as he disappeared, rubbing along the sensitized flesh. Then, she'd see the entire length of him, glistening with moisture, with the exception of the very tip, leaving her empty for a brief second before he slammed back into her, knocking the breath from her lungs.
"Play with your clit.” Aiden's voice broke through the sensual haze she'd woven.
"Nu-uh. You do it."
He let go of her waist, one thumb stroking down to capture the raw bundle of nerves. The first flick sent her careening out of control. She wanted more, she needed it. She struggled to draw in short, ragged breaths. Her body tensed, poised to shatter. And then she came and came and came. Her eyes pinched shut as shafts of light exploded behind her lids. She crumpled against his chest, her legs no longer able to support her body and her spine turned to rubber.
Aiden cupped her butt, pressing her closer to his pistoning hips. As the pieces of her sanity slowly returned, she felt his body stiffen and his thrusts become more purposeful. His hot breath warmed her ear with his guttural pants. With a chest-rumbling moan, his orgasm overwhelmed his body. He pumped once, twice, three times more and then slumped back to the bed.
She twisted, preparing to roll to his side. His arms tightened around her waist, preventing any movement. She hadn't wanted to move, not really, but felt as if she should give him some breathing room. Instead, she stayed in the comfort of his arms, feeling his penis grow soft inside her and listening to the thundering of his heart.
"Damn, woman, any more sessions like that and I may never let you go."
She knew the exact moment when he realized the implications of what he'd said. She waited for him to push her off and bolt. Or start trying to change her to fit his ideal of the perfect wife. Instead, he snuggled her closer.
Her earlier insecurities faded away as she remembered the tenderness and the intense passion she'd shared with Aiden. His attention proved he found her attractive. He didn't care that she wasn't twenty-one anymore. Another man would find her appealing as well.
Except she didn't want any other man. Aiden was the only man she'd ever wanted. The realization slammed through her with the force of a kickboxing punch. She'd unconsciously compared the few men she'd dated to him and they'd failed miserably. Maybe that was the reason she'd remained a virgin all these years—not because the men didn't appreciate the real her, but because they weren't Aiden Greene. Shit.
Unless she was able to prove to him that a woman could have a career and still be wife material. She'd do that by doing what she did best—being a top notch AFSA officer successfully completing her assignments. Dammit, she wanted it all—her AFSA career, a twenty year Air Force career, and Aiden. With any luck, he'd see that she could do her job and still be with him. That one didn't detract from the other, but only strengthened both aspects of her life. Then he wouldn't be able to let her go.
Chapter 14
"Good morning.” Aiden cracked open one eyelid to find Erika towering over him. An evil smile crossed her face as she tossed back the covers. “You were the one who wanted to be camped out at the university president's door bright and early, so why are you still in bed?"
Propping himself up against the headboard, he stretched his arms over his head, trying to wake up. “What time is it anyway?"
"Oh-six-hundred."
His skin burned as Erika raked her gaze over his near naked body covered only by the sheet pooling in his lap. A sheet that did nothing to conceal his morning erection. He'd been dreaming about rolling over and fucking her silly. That was before he woke up to find her fully dressed. In uniform. Damn, he'd hoped to shake her out of her mope. He'd succeeded beyond his wildest hopes.
"Do you plan on getting up? I mean, out of bed?” A flush of red crawled up her cheeks.
"That wasn't my original intention.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “Getting out of bed, I mean."
"I can see that."
His cock jumped as her eyes dropped to his crotch. “I don't suppose you'd let me bend you over and flip up your skirt?"
When she folded her arms across her chest and tapped her foot, he had his answer. Actually, he had his answer before he even asked the question but couldn't resist teasing her. Tossing back the sheet, he swung his feet to the floor. A chuckle escaped his lips as she scrambled backward. Oh, yeah, he mentally cheered, let her get a good look at what she's missing, maybe then she'll be as uncomfortable as I am.
He wanted about five minutes alone in the bathroom to take care of his obvious problem. Erika would no doubt have something to say about that delay. What had her up and at ‘em so early this morning?
"Good morning.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead as he headed for the bathroom. As much as he longed to take her in his arms and kiss her, he'd never be able to stop with just one and she insisted they needed to get to the university president's office.
Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, he splashed cold water on his face, forcing himself to focus. He and Erika weren't on a vacation. They were here for a vitally important reason. He had to get his head back in the game, and stop thinking with his dick. His daughter's life depended on it. He'd failed so many women in his life, he wasn't about to add her to the list. Samantha had her whole life in front of her and Aiden intended to see that she lived it to the fullest.
Fifteen minutes later, he'd shaved, showered, and was ready to head out the door. He looked and felt scruffy next to Erika. In her crisp dress blues, with an impressive array of medals on her chest, she looked calm and in control compared to his casual jeans and a polo shirt. As they walked to the car, a suspicion took root.
"You wore your uniform on purpose today."
"I don't know what you're talking about.” She avoided looking at him. “This is an official Air Force Security Agency mission. As such, I need to be in uniform."
"You want the president to pay attention to you, to think you're in charge.” His muscles began to tense up.
"I am in charge."
"Like hell you are.” His face flushed and his hands clenched into fists.
"Keep your voice down.” Stopping at the driver's side door, she pivoted to face him. With her back ramrod stiff and her chin jutting out, she looked intimidating. Just not to him. “This is a military operation, a matter of national security involving the A
ir Force Security Agency. As such, I will take the point on this."
"Take the point? This isn't a fucking SEAL mission. We're getting my daughter back from a fucking monster. Considering the circumstances, I need to be the one in charge.” Every nerve in his body screamed at him as he stood toe to toe with her, battling to keep his voice down so as not to attract attention.
"I intend to get your daughter back safe and sound. If you'd drag your head out of your Cro-Magnon ass, you'd realize that I'm more than capable of getting the job done."
He sputtered, opening and closing his mouth but no words came out. The words that wanted to come out would only cause a bigger problem. This was his daughter. He knew Sonny better than anyone else. Of course he should be the one in charge. It had nothing to do with Erika's competence. Hell, it was his idea to come up here in the first place and now she wanted to take control away from him?
"I'm getting in the car now. Are you planning on joining me or do I hang out and wait by myself?” She pushed the button on the keyless entry and slid behind the wheel.
Goddammit. She had him by the short and curlies. For now anyway. Taking several deep breaths, he climbed into the car and settled into the seat. One thing he'd learned both as an Air Force officer and a lawyer was that sometimes tactical retreat was the best course of action. Besides, pouncing on an unsuspecting prey was so much more satisfying.
Since it was still early and he didn't believe that their quarry would be in the office before oh-seven-hundred, they decided to stop at a restaurant specializing in pancakes. Aiden kept the conversation light, avoiding the topic of contention. If it lulled Erika into a false sense of security, so much the better.
A few minutes after seven, they parked behind a majestic old red brick building with a soaring white bell tower and made their way to the president's office. They had been waiting for less than ten minutes when a middle-aged man with a bad comb-over in an expensive suit approached.
He extended his hand to Erika. “You must be Major Dalton."
Erika shot Aiden an aren't-you-glad-I-wore-my-uniform-now? look. “Yes, sir, I am. You must be Mr. Bryce. It's a pleasure to meet you. Allow me to introduce Aiden Greene."
Aiden noticed the man's weak handshake.
"I was surprised to receive a call from Colonel Covington yesterday. I find it difficult to believe that one of my students is involved in something with national security ramifications."
"May we step inside your office, sir?"
"Of course."
Bryce unlocked the door and ushered them into a spacious office, complete with a miniature replica of the school mascot. He shut the door behind them and gestured to a grouping of leather chairs.
"Mr. Bryce, it is imperative that Major Dalton and I be given as much information as you have on a student by the name of Antonio Ramos."
"May I ask why?"
"I'm not at liberty to divulge that information. I can tell you that he's done nothing wrong and is not in trouble."
"And I just have to take your word for it, Mr. Greene?"
"You have my word as an officer in the United States Air Force, Mr. Bryce.” Erika glared at Aiden, annoyed she'd been cut out of the conversation. Too bad.
"My secretary will be in at eight. She'll be able to give you his schedule and his address. Why don't you take a walk around campus and come back at about eight fifteen? She's not always punctual."
"Thank you, sir. We appreciate your cooperation.” Erika nudged in front of Aiden as they stood.
Aiden watched as she pivoted on her sensible navy blue heel and marched from the room. Lord, he loved to watch that wiggle in her walk. He had it bad for women in uniform. Or rather, one woman in uniform.
No, no, no. He wasn't going there. It was all about Samantha now. She'd been Sonny's hostage for roughly thirty-six hours now. God only knew how she was being treated.
"Do you really want to explore the campus?” After last night's meltdown, Aiden worried about a tour since students would be making their way to class. He needed Erika in a battle frame of mind. If seeing more young co-eds caused her to deviate from that mindset, he'd just as soon hang out in a boring hallway. He'd done everything possible last night to convince her that she was sexier than any woman around, but he didn't know if he'd succeeded.
"I wouldn't mind seeing the infamous lion statue. I'm sure we can get directions from someone.” She met his gaze without hesitation and without any of the doubt he'd seen in her eyes last night.
Hot damn, he was good.
"After you.” He dropped back a couple of steps to watch the sway of her navy blue clad butt one more time.
One little diversion didn't mean he wasn't focused on his daughter's safe release.
* * * *
"According to the schedule, Antonio has class in the Walker Building at ten."
"Where is this building? At the end of the freaking earth?"
Erika laughed at Aiden as he trudged along beside her. “Maybe you need to add a little cardio to your workout."
"I'm in good shape, dammit."
She had to agree. His shape was mighty fine. Coming or going, he was easy on the eyes. And coming—man, oh, man. When he had an orgasm, the look on his face was pure heaven. The way his body tensed, every one of his ab muscles standing out in stark relief. The way his hips pounded at her, striving for every ounce of pleasure. Her body pulsed with awareness at the thought of making love with him. Shit, now was neither the time nor the place for distractions. “The treadmill isn't the same as being outside on asphalt and concrete, is it?"
"It's been a long time since I've double-timed it across a campus.” He paused, his head tilted to one side. “Hey, how do you know I run on a treadmill?"
"I provided discreet surveillance and protection for a month, remember?"
"How could I have forgotten?” A grimace crossed his face, his mouth twisted in a scowl.
Based on the map she'd read before they left the president's office, their destination was within sight. They had forty-five minutes until the start of the class in question. Time to locate a position from which they could reconnoiter. Circling the building, Erika took note of the entrances. Since they had no idea from which direction he'd approach, they needed to go inside and check the layout.
Without being asked or directed, Aiden approached the nearest door and held it open. He'd obviously come to the same conclusion. There was a lobby area with a large lecture hall, the one in which Antonio's class was held, and elevators, as well as other miscellaneous rooms. He gestured to the currently empty lecture hall, indicating they go inside.
They hadn't discussed their game plan once they located Antonio Ramos. Erika suspected Aiden planned to hold him as collateral until his daughter was released. As much as she disliked the idea, it was probably the quickest way to secure the safe return of the little girl. She wasn't sure what she disliked more, the fact she agreed with him or that she was contemplating following his lead. This was her assignment, dammit.
"When the students start pouring into this place, you are going to stand out like an I-don't-know-what. I think you should wait in here until I manage to locate Antonio and detain him."
Erika's blood pressure spiked. “Do you even need me on this mission?” She struggled to keep from yelling. “This is my baby. Yet we're here because you leapfrogged over my head and now you want to be the one to secure the target. Why didn't you just stay in counterintelligence?"
Pain clouded his eyes, making her acutely aware that she'd stepped out of line.
"This is not your baby. Ramos has my baby and it's my ass he wants. Do you honestly expect me to sit back with my thumb up my ass?"
"I expect you to trust me to do my job, one I was trained to do and have been doing for quite some time."
His voice dropped to a whisper. “I do trust you. If I didn't, I would have ditched you and gone out on my own."
The intensity in his gray eyes sent her stomach tumbling. The fact that he trusted her ro
cked her. She'd assumed he didn't and that was why he kept trying to take control. But he wasn't trying to take control from her, he was trying to take it back from Sonny.
"What do you plan to do?"
"I'll watch for Antonio and try to lure him out of the building. I need you to stand where you can see us, and follow when we leave. I'm guessing as a civilian, I shouldn't be the one to actually detain the young man."
"So you need me after all?” She bit back a laugh.
Stroking his thumb along her cheek, the rough skin heightening her awareness, he captured her gaze. “I need you more than I dare to admit. More importantly, my daughter needs you."
Her stomach churned. Here she thought he'd been confessing his innermost feelings. No, that was too much to hope for. She may have fallen in love with him all over again, but was the emotion reciprocated? What did she expect?
"Maybe now's the time to tell me what happened on that mission when you captured Sonny."
Aiden sank to one of the theater style chairs. Quite possibly, she shouldn't have asked. She needed to know, however, before things got hairy. Any minute now, they were going to get Big Foot or the Abominable Snowman hairy. It was imperative she knew what she was dealing with.
"I spent six months in Cancuen, learning every minute detail about Sonny and his organization until I was so deep in his head, my skin crawled. I headed a five-person team and we had SEAL backup. We had him. After six months of being so close I could smell him sweat, I had him. I had a young second lieutenant with me, Natalie. Dear God, I don't think she'd been out of OCS more than a month before we packed up and headed off for Cancuen. She was good, a forensic psychologist in a previous life, but she'd only finished Officer Candidate School. We had Sonny pinned down in one of his warehouses. We thought he'd gotten sloppy and allowed us to track his cell phone transmission. Now I know he lured us there."
The Class of '93 Trilogy: Deadly Briefs Page 18