by Kara Parker
“No, Grace. It’s the one thing I didn’t want. I want to be there for my daughter. I can’t disappear on her and Kelly. I don’t want her growing up not knowing her father.”
“Then you need to get a time machine and go back fifteen years and not join a biker gang. This is it, Falcon. We don’t have a lot of choices. I don’t want to keep you out of jail just so you can die from a hit in a back alley somewhere. For better or worse, Falcon. You joined a gang and you’ve done a lot of illegal, jail-worthy stuff. You could easily look at a lifetime in prison. You have the deal clearing you of all charges, but if something else comes up, something not related to the Screaming Eagles or this investigation, I might not be able to help you.”
Falcon shook his head and walked away from Grace. He leaned against the counter, pressing his palms into the cheap counter top. He shook his head as he tried to find some other solution. He couldn’t leave Sophie; he couldn't leave his life. He couldn’t let her be that girl who didn’t have a dad.
“You have money saved up for Sophie and we could send more her way, as well,” Grace said softly.
“So, you think that’s all a father is? Someone who gives his kids money?”
“No,” Grace said. “But if you do stay, you would be marked all over town as a traitor. You would spend your entire life looking over your shoulder and, if we’re being honest, Falcon, Sophie would have a target on her back. They would know getting to her would get to you. She wouldn’t be safe, Falcon.”
Falcon shook his head in disgust and looked away. Grace was following him around imploring him to look at her. But every time she reached for him he would pull away from her.
“This wasn’t what we agreed to,” Falcon said angrily. “This isn't how this was supposed to play out. I’m going to lose everything, Grace. Do you understand that? Sophie is my family and you’re asking me to leave her behind.”
“I am asking you to think about the long term, Falcon,” Grace said quietly. “I am asking you to think about life as it is, not as we want it to be. I know that you want to be with Sophie. But you need to think of what is really going to happen if you stay. You really need to think about what that means to Sophie.”
***
“Yeah, I get it,” Falcon said as he shook his head in disgust. “You get everything you want. You get a big bust and a huge promotion and I get nothing. I get to leave my entire life behind. That works out really well for you.”
“It’s not like that,” Grace said.
“Then what is it like, Grace? What can you say that’s going to make any of this better? We have amazing sex and then you disappear for days and now you come back just to tell me that doing this with you, that helping you is going to cost me everything!”
“You’re doing this because it’s the right thing.”
“Fuck the right thing! I don’t care about doing the right thing! I want to keep my life! And what about us? I’m gonna lose you, too, aren’t I? Did you ever even feel anything towards me? Or was I just a tool you used to get what you wanted.”
“I do care about you, Falcon,” she said. And finally she had him cornered in the room and she took his face in her hands and implored him to look at her. Her green eyes were watery with tears and she was begging him to listen. “I care about you more than I should. It’s put this whole operation in jeopardy. Do you think it’s going to be easy for me to watch you leave? Every time I see you or talk to you I know that eventually I’m going to have to say goodbye to you forever and I don’t know how I’m going to do that.”
Falcon tore himself away from her touch. He was so angry and frustrated and at the same time he knew she was right. He couldn’t stay here after betraying the Screaming Eagles. He would have to leave forever. The only way to keep his family safe was to never see them again.
“Please say something,” Grace whispered from the other side of the room.
“What am I supposed to say? I can’t even really be mad at you. You gave me an out and I took it. I just, I didn’t think I would be losing so much.”
“I know it’s hard, Falcon. But it’s the only way. You’ll go somewhere nice and make a new life for yourself. A life that’s free from gangs and drugs and cops. Doesn’t that sound nice?”
“It would sound better if I didn't have to go alone. But I do, don’t I? No one else can come with me, no one else will know. I will be dead to the world. My daughter will mourn me and then forget about me. I’ll be nothing more than an old picture hung up on some forgotten wall in her house.”
“Falcon, if there were any other way-”
He cut her off. “No, you’re right. This is the only way. It’s the only way to bring the Screaming Eagles down and keep Sophie safe.” Falcon couldn’t help it, a single tear escaped his right eye and he brushed it away furiously. “I guess I’ll just have to do the best I can with the time that’s left for me.”
Grace was right next to him, her hand was on his arm and she was staring up at him. He couldn’t help himself and he didn’t want to stop himself. He didn’t have much time left and so he leaned down and enveloped Grace’s mouth with his own.
Chapter Twenty-Five
She leaned into him and pressed her palms against his chest before caressing his face and wrapping her arms around his neck. Falcon had missed this. He had missed her touch, her hands, her arms, her tongue. He had missed the smell of her, the way his rough fingers travelled over her smooth skin. He had missed tangling his fingers up in her hair.
Falcon pulled away from the kiss and took her chin firmly in his hands. He looked into her green eyes and said, “I missed you.” He tilted her chin to the side and bit her earlobe making her gasp as he bit and licked and kissed his way down her neck until he was at her collarbone. Her chest was heaving; he could feel her heart pounding underneath his fingers as he brought both hands up and wrapped them around her breasts.
The feel of her was amazing. Her eyes were closed and her hands were running up his arms. When he squeezed her breast she gasped and arched her back towards him. Falcon felt like an animal finally released from his cage. He pushed Grace back until she was flush against the back wall of his apartment and he pinned her arms against the wall with his hands as he kissed her fiercely. His tongue was plunging into her mouth and then he was sucking on her lower lip, leaning down to kiss her neck.
“Falcon,” Grace said and it was almost like a sigh. She pushed her arms against him, but he tightened his grip, wrapping his fingers around her wrists and holding her in place. She was moaning as he kissed along the lines of cleavage and her shoulders. She was reaching for him with her mouth in a desperate attempt to kiss him.
“I want you,” Falcon said, pushing his forehead against hers. “I want to fuck you,” he said and he looked into her eyes.
She bit her lip and nodded.
Taking her by the wrists he pulled her back into his bedroom and slammed the door closed behind them. He pulled Grace towards him and then turned her around so her back was to him. He pulled her to him in a crushing embrace and as he kissed her neck his hand pushed up her short skirt and touched the lacy panties she was wearing underneath. He pushed them aside and ran his fingers over her edges, not yet slipping inside.
He teased her with his fingers as he kissed his neck and it wasn’t long before Grace began to writhe and push against him. Her ass was grinding against Falcon’s lap; he could feel her body as it swept against his and his penis rose in response to her attentions. Falcon growled into her ear as he slipped two fingers inside of her.
Grace gasped and arched her back, but he held her tight against him as his fingers found her clit and he began to move over it in tiny circles. She was already slick and ready for him, her body shuddering as she moaned his name and moved her hips with his fingers.
“Falcon, yes,” she moaned and she pushed herself back against him. Her body was tense and she threw her head back.
Falcon turned her face to him and he kissed her as his fingers continued to spin
inside of her.
“Oh, yes. Yes!” She cried out breaking the kiss and Falcon watched her face as she opened her mouth in a silent scream as her body tensed beneath him before screaming out his name, her body convulsing around him. Falcon held her against him as she rode her orgasm to finish and collapsed against him.
God he wanted her. He found the zipper on her dress and quickly lowered it before shoving the dress down her lithe body and into a puddle on the floor. Still shaking from her orgasm she held onto his hand and then, once the dress was off, she turned around to face him. She was wearing a lacy black thong and a thin bra that looked like nothing more than decoration. Her taught and strong body stood before him and he couldn’t help himself as he stroked up her thigh and then along her stomach to her breasts behind their thin veil of the bra.
He cupped her breast gently and stroked his thumb over her nipple, reveling in the way she closed her eyes and moaned as he did it. The bra closed in the front and he smiled as he gently undid the clasp and opened it as if he were opening a present. Her breasts were perfect and he took them in his hands, massaging them before leaning down and kissing them both gently.
With one gentle shove she was back on the bed and Falcon pushed again until she was flat on her back. He took both of her wrists in his hands and, taking the thin material of her bra, he brought her wrists up to the headboard and tied them there. The knot was sturdy and he looked down at her as she pulled against it, testing the strength of the fabric. It held and he looked at her to make sure she was all right.
Her body was spread out before him on the bed, naked and perfect in the moonlight. He breasts were heaving and she squirmed a little against her restraints. Her body was writhing over the bed and it was the most beautiful thing Falcon had ever seen. He stood up off the bed and quickly removed his clothes before climbing back on.
He kissed her deeply and she kissed him back. He worked his way down her body, kissing both of her breasts before kissing her stomach and thighs before finally settling down between her legs. He worked slowly; he knew were her clit was, but he didn’t want to make it easy for her and so his first few licks touched every part of her but her clit.
As his tongue worked long strokes inside of her going everywhere but where she really wanted him to go, Grace pushed against him. Her hips moved in a desperate ploy for him to touch the place he wouldn’t.
“Falcon, please,” she murmured and he could feel her as she pulled against her restraints. “Please, Falcon.”
“Please what?” he asked as his fingers replaced his tongue. He let his fingers graze her clit as he watched and she shuddered and arched her back as his fingers teased her and then pulled away.
“I want you to make me come,” she whispered. “Please, Falcon. Don’t leave me on the edge like this.” She pulled against her wrist restraints and Falcon felt his erection grow.
He leaned down between her legs and his tongue focused on her clit; it was like a jolt of electricity passed through her. Her body jerked and strained and she was moaning and crying out loudly. Falcon slipped one finger inside of her and stroked her from the inside as his tongue worked from the outside and then she was screaming out his name; her whole body tensed as her orgasm gushed through her.
Pleased, Falcon came up and untied her arms. He kissed her wrists gently as he threw her bra to the side. Then he took her wrists and pulled her up and out of bed. She stood on her tiptoes as Falcon kissed her and he held her up with his strong arms before he spun her around and pushed on her back until she was bent over. He reached into the top drawer of the dresser and pulled out a condom, quickly ripping open the packaging and sliding it over his cock.
She had her hands against his dresser and they were facing the mirror as Falcon took his throbbing cock and easily slipped it inside of Grace’s ready and eager body. He groaned loudly as he entered her, gripping her hips with his hands as he pushed himself into her. He could see her reflection in the mirror and he could see the way her eyes closed and her mouth opened as she took in the sensation of him.
He remembered how wonderful it was to be inside of her. She was tight and as he began to thrust into her she pushed back against him as their rhythm sped up. He reached around her again and she let out a sharp little gasp as his fingers began to move against her clit.
“Falcon!” she cried out. “Yes, Falcon, yes!” His fingers spun around and around as he felt her getting closer and closer to her orgasm. He spun his fingers in her as he continued to thrust with his cock. He was ready to explode, but he held himself back, waiting for Grace.
“Come for me,” he whispered and she whimpered the word yes as her body tensed underneath him. Falcon pushed against her harder and faster until she was screaming his name and he could feel her body convulsing around him. Finally like an explosion his orgasm pushed through him and, with a few final thrusts, Falcon Marks was spent.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Falcon laid back in bed with Grace wrapped up his arms. She was leaning against him and running her fingers up and down his chest, tangling them up in his thin chest hair. He leaned down and kissed her forehead and then looked down at her. It felt so good and so right to be here with her. There was nowhere else he wanted to be other than in this bed with this woman.
The fact that this had a definitive end-date made the whole thing far sweeter and far more bitter than Falcon could have ever imagined. He knew there would only be so many times he would get to do this. This, in fact, might be the last time ever. The knowledge that their passion had a ticking clock let him appreciate every second he had with her. He could feel her silky hair under his chin, smell her subtle scent, and feel her warm body pressed against his. He wanted to capture every moment of this, wanted to remember every sensation.
Soon it would be over. Very soon. He had one last job to do and then he would never get to experience this again. Grace was the perfect person for him. She was the perfect woman: smart and tough and strong, but also kind and thoughtful. She had fought for Falcon and looked after Sophie. She was sexy and smart, beauty and brains, and he was going to have to say goodbye to her forever.
“You know, I really promised myself I wasn't going to do that again,” Grace said.
“Do you regret it?” Falcon asked.
“Fuck no,” she said with a giggle. “It’s just so complicated. And I’m now one of those cops hooking up with their source. I am officially one of those girls mothers warn their daughters about.”
“Because I’m a biker or because I’m your informant?”
“Both,” she said quietly. “And also because I’m falling so hard for you. I know it’s dumb, but I can’t help myself. I thought if I stayed away from you that these feelings would pass. I thought all I needed was a few days to get my head on straight about you, but I spent the whole time thinking about you. I would re-read your texts and listen to your voicemails over and over again and then refuse to let myself call you back.”
Falcon smiled and he pulled her to her in a tight hug and kissed her forehead again. “I’m glad,” he whispered. “But don’t do that to me again. Don’t leave me hanging. I needed you as much you needed me. Stay the night?”
“I can’t,” she said pulling away from him. “Hookers don't spend the night, remember?”
“Sometimes they do,” Falcon said, “if you pay them enough.”
She smiled as she stood up and Falcon got one last look at her naked body as she began to pick up her clothes. She sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled her thong on. Falcon pushed himself over to her and he ran his hands up her back and kissed her neck. Grace turned her head giving him access to the nape of her neck and she moaned quietly as he kissed her.
“You have to stop doing that,” she whispered, but her hands encircled his as Falcon wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back to him.
“But you like it so much,” he said.
“Hmmmm...I do like it. But work, and responsibilities, and life...”
“
Don’t go,” he whispered.
“I have to and you need to get some sleep. You have a major operation to plan starting tomorrow.” She turned to look at him. “And no more radio silence from me. Whatever you need, I’ll give it to you. For as long as we can be, we’re in this together.” They kissed again, slowly and gently until Grace finally pulled away and finished dressing while Falcon watched.
“Keep in contact. If you have any questions about the roads or the times, call me,” Grace said as she slipped her dress over her head and then shimmied it down her body.
“You don’t think I can handle this?” Falcon asked in mock outrage.
“I think you could handle anything,” Grace said pulling her hair back into an artfully messy ponytail. “But operations like this are tricky for a first timer and I want you to know that I’m here if you need any questions.”
She sat down next to him again and put her hand on his chest. She leaned forward and kissed him deeply. After the kiss Falcon didn’t want to be separated from her and he leaned his forehead against hers and relished this last bit of contact with her.