Shattered Rules

by Allder, Reggi

  “I do, but I have to look at the big picture. We’re talking about the safety of the United States.” He thought of the intruder’s promise that Kelly and Carrie would die if she didn't return the flash drive. The men would keep their word as sure as they killed Agent Simmons. He had to do something to stop them before Kelly’s time ran out.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  The royal blue sky turned to steel gray. Waves kicked up by the wind made white caps on the lake. A flurry of birch leaves skittered across the plank floor.

  Brick watched Kelly walk to the end of the deck and face the water. A breeze rustled her hair sending out golden sparks of light. She held on to the railing, her face turned to the wind, a petite figure alone against the tides of nature. If only he could stop time and keep her safe.

  A realization spread through him. She’d become precious to him, more valued than anything else in his life, his job, his future were gone from his mind. She permeated his soul, a dazzling, shimmering presence. He wanted only to protect and cherish her. Instead, he feared circumstances beyond his control would cause her death.

  He stood behind her and kneaded her shoulders to release the tension he found. He thought she might pull away, but she leaned against him.

  “I’ve always loved it here on the lake. It’s so peaceful. It’s filled with so many wonderful family memories,” she said.

  “Yeah.” His arms encircled her.

  “When my mom and dad died everything went to hell. At first Carrie and I quarreled and then we weren’t speaking. I had nobody I could to talk to. Then I met Johnny and he made me feel important, even loved. He was kind and exciting.” Breathless, she paused. “Thinking about it now, I realize after my parents died I was a rebellious teen, a real pain in the ass. I was angry at the world for taking them away.” She gulped back a sob.

  He waited for her to continue.

  “I was horrible. I made Carrie’s life miserable. Now because of my recklessness I’ve put her life and your life in danger.”

  “Don’t Kelly.”

  “Friends warned me against getting involved with Johnny. I was too pig-headed to listen. I’ve caused so much trouble. I feel so guilty. I’d give anything to change the past.”

  “Hush.” He wanted stop her agony and give her relief from the torment. How well he understood her feelings of guilt. He’d felt the sting of it. If only he’d known of his partner's betrayal, he could have prevented Annie’s death, the witness he was supposed to protect.

  “What a complete and utter failure I've been.” Kelly’s voice was just a whisper barely heard above the wind in the trees.

  “You're too hard on yourself. You had no idea what Johnny was like. How could you?” Her sorrow tore at him. He pulled her closer and stroked her hair. “There was no way to foresee any of this.”

  She buried her face against his chest, her breasts grazing him as she did. He tensed but didn’t move.

  Another gust of wind blew off the lake and she trembled.

  “You’re cold. We should go inside,” he said, not wanting to let her go.

  She raised her head and gazed at him. “Kiss me.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Please. Kiss me.”

  Slowly, he gently brushed his lips against hers.

  She moaned.

  Smoldering heat ran through him, a feeling like nothing he’d experienced with any other woman. He kissed her again, a deeper kiss this time, even though he knew he had to let her go soon.

  “We better get inside.” He took her hand and led her out of the wind to the safety of the living room.

  ***

  Kelly watched Brick light the logs in the fireplace. When he finished, she went to him. “I love you. I always have. Even when I was a teenager I loved you.” She reached up and covered his lips with her fingers tips. “I had to tell you. You don't have to say anything. It's just that I’ve been saying it to myself for so long, I wanted to say it to you too just once.”

  His eyes widened and then his expression softened.

  With a gentle hand she caressed his cheek. The past and the future was unimportant, nothing mattered but this moment. It was the only thing that held meaning for her. She wanted him more than she could admit to him. From now on whatever happened between them, some part of her would always love him.

  He pulled her to him. She went willingly. He lifted her face to his and gazed into the depths of her eyes. There was raw hunger in his expression. The same hunger she felt flowing in her, enflaming her.

  “I don't deserve you Kelly.” His was voice ragged.

  He’d always exuded such strength. So when he bent to meet her parted lips, she was surprised by the gentleness of his kiss. A charge went through her. She clung to him. Gone were her feelings of guilt and regret. Brick was with her and right now that was all that mattered.

  His kiss sent a wave of pleasure spiraling in her. Her heartbeat quickened. She leaned against the length of him and opened her mouth wider, wanting more of him.

  His kiss became more demanding. As their tongues danced, she met his passion with passion of her own. His hips began a slow undulating movement and she moved with him.

  Her hand ran down the length of his corded arm, finding his hand she brought it to her breast. Nipples tightened at his touch and she felt heat flood the space between her inner thighs.

  She wanted her skin touching him.

  Almost as if he heard her thinking, he lifted her top over her head and dropped it to the floor. With one easy movement he released her breast from the sheer satin fabric of her bra.

  “You're beautiful,” he whispered as he knelt before her and rubbed her nipple to hardness. With his mouth to her breast he sucked, causing a wave of emotions deep within her. She sighed and held his head to her tingling breast.

  Increasing the pressure, his mouth pulled and sucked. Her response was so intense she wondered if she could continue to stand.

  He released her pant's zipper and with one movement slid pants and panties to the floor. He kissed her abdomen and left moisture to cool her flaming skin. His hand ran slowly down her body to her thighs and then moved toward her inner core. He caressed her inner thigh and then touched her femininity. She moaned as her whole body quivered and her knees became weak.

  He lifted her into his arms, took her to the bedroom and set her on the bed.

  On her back, she watched as he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it away. She marveled at the golden skin that spread over his hard muscled torso, for the first time understanding the meaning of the phrase “hard body”.

  A need sparked in her. “I have to touch you, everywhere.” She sat up and, ran her palms slowly over his solid chest and abdomen. She heard his breathing quicken.

  He undressed and his body spoke, with eloquence, of how much he wanted her. He was impressive and so much more than she could have imagined. His need stood fully extended in front of her.

  “I want you,” she whispered and then lay back down and gazed up at him.

  He held himself over her, his body almost touching hers.

  With just the thought of his contact, she quivered and arced up in anticipation. Then she touched him, running her hands over his strong back and tight buttocks.

  He straddled her as his mouth reclaimed hers. His strong hand kneaded her breast. Waves of sweet heat soaked her core. His mouth found her pearled nipple, while his fingers reached her center, touching her until ripples of longing pulsed through her.

  Her blood turned to molten lava. It coursed through her veins, setting fire to a new part of her as it flowed, her body softening as it warmed. In anticipation of his entry, her pelvis rose to meet him. She wanted him inside her, pushing, demanding and taking.

  “Brick, please.”

  ***

  He gazed at the passion in her eyes. Her clear translucent skin and pink tightly budded breast were tipped with moisture. Her slender legs open in welcome.

  He wanted to plunge into her and take her with hard thrusts, until n
either of them had the strength to continue, drowning her fire with his seed. But more than meeting his desires, he wanted to give her pleasure, to wipe away some of the pain she’d suffered.

  She looked so delicate. He didn't want to hurt her. He tested her to be sure she was ready. She signed and clung to him.

  “More,” she whispered.

  Little by little he entered her. The sweetness of her was almost overwhelmed him. She moved under him, moaning slightly, almost undoing him. He shivered and it took all his control not to sheath himself fully in her.

  He concentrated on pleasing her, kissing the nape of her neck while he rubbed her breast to hardness and then touching her private spot until she moaned for him to penetrate her completely. She called his name and her hips jerked upward to meet him. Moving with her he slid deeper inside, increasing in strength and speed until he filled her totally. Her honey was sweeter than he thought possible.

  ***

  Her breath caught as she felt him tight inside her. Yes. She didn't speak. She was too overcome with sensations of love. She wanted him to take her and fill the empty years she'd wasted, fill the time she'd existed without him.

  Her body and soul was captured and held by his spiraling need. Trying to pull him even closer, her nails scratched him as her hands ran down his back to his harden muscle.

  It only seemed to increase his desire. He moved faster just as she wanted. She joined him, moving in rhythm with him as if they had been performing as lovers forever.

  While he thrust inside her, he reached for her private spot, and stroked it over and over again.

  “Oh yes,” she whispered.

  The sensations were so great she didn't know if she could absorb them. Her breath was ragged and her skin inflamed. She welcomed his passion as he relentlessly thrust again and again increasing the pace and tempo. She held on as he carried her with him, her body saturated with feelings almost too great to manage. Her mind filled with love for him. He touched her once more and she shook and cried out.

  Her control gone, her body moved of its own volition, passion captivating her. She heard herself cry out again as he thrust deeply inside her and then she went still. A tingling sensation spread from her core throughout her body even to the end of her fingertips. Just then, she felt him release his seed.

  “Kelly,” he whispered.

  Intertwined, she lay with him and listened to his ragged breathing and heard her own matching breaths. Unable to move, spent, but fulfilled, she smiled.

  Minutes passed. She opened her eyes to see him finally rise on one elbow and look down at her.

  “I cherish you Kelly,” he said, gently putting his fingertips over her lips, letting her know she didn't have to respond. Then he rolled on to his back and pulled her with him.

  Her head rested on his broad chest. With her ear to his heart, she listened to the resolute beat. More joy than she had ever imagined filled her. Safe in his arms, she let her eyes close.

  Kelly woke, still naked under the sheets. Her hand touched her swollen lips and then her budded breast, her nipple still sensitive from Brick’s kisses. It was true, and not a dream, he’d made love to her. She rolled over, expecting to see him in bed next to her. She sat up with a start. Her heart beat erratically. He was gone.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  The sound of the shower running in the bathroom caught Kelly’s attention. Relieved, she lay back in bed and imagined Brick in the shower, soapy lather running down his muscled torso.

  In the bathroom, she breathed in the masculine scent of shaving cream. She found him standing tall and potent in the clear glass enclosed shower, steam swirling around him. His back to her, he rinsed his closely cropped blonde hair. Shampoo lather slithered down his powerful backside.

  He turned slightly. She watched as he took a bar of soap and made lather circles on his chest, every sculpted muscle flexed. Heat exploded in her core as she imagined his competent hand touching her.

  What would it feel like to have him wash her breast? Her nipples tightened needing his attention. It was so soon to want him again, but seeing him sent desire exploding, causing a quiver of anticipation. She had to touch him.

  Without saying a word, she opened the door of the shower and entered. She used her fingertips to trace shampoo lather as it meandered between his shoulder blades and down to his firm buttocks.

  His breath caught and he grabbed her hand.

  She noticed his eyes widen as they tracked the warm water that dripped down the cleft of her breasts. He bent forward and licked the trail of moisture from her right breast. His hand claimed it while his mouth descended to suck her nipple to hardness.

  His need grew before her. His masculine power engulfed her. Hot liquid surged in her. She rubbed her skin against his, gliding across his soapy body. There was no friction, just delightful sensations, reminding her of silk.

  Only he could fill her yearning. She forgot where she was and it didn't matter if the water was hot or cold, she was hot and he was with her. Her nails dug into him, demanding he take her.

  He gave in kind, sending his long fingers hard inside her, while he tenderly kissed her neck. She groaned and leaned against his strength. Her legs became putty.

  He easily lifted her to him and positioned her so he could enter. Leaning against the tiled shower wall, he steadied her and with one swift movement gained access, filling her. She gasped and felt explosive feelings as he expanded her. She kissed him, her tongue dancing with his. He pumped into her, rotating her hips to meet his as he lifted her up and down to meet his thrust.

  She was sore from the earlier love making, but it didn't stop her from moving with him, wanting everything he could give and arcing to bring him closer. Finally, she cried out and clung to him while waves of sensation flooded her.

  His thrust increased and his muscles tightened as he released life giving fluid into her. Then he held her tenderly against him. His strong arms supported her, her legs around his waist, and her head resting on his shoulder.

  He carefully lowered her to the floor. The water was cool now, but she was still hot. She sagged against him, waiting for her breathing to slow and her self-control to return.

  With a soapy washcloth, he bathed her, ever so gently, touching her core. She shuddered and he kissed her. He rinsed the soap and turned off the water.

  Moisture clung to her skin. He wrapped her in a bath towel and carried her to the bedroom then placed her on the bed.

  “Rest my sweet,” he said before he returned to the bathroom.

  Safe and warm under the down comforter, blissful sleep overtook her.

  ***

  Later, Brick returned to the bedroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. He gazed at Kelly sleeping in the king sized bed. Her full lips parted, blonde hair framed her face and the top of one pink breast peeked out from under the covers and begged to be caressed.

  His need grew. He’d like nothing better than to slide under the sheets next to her and let her softness envelop him while he took her again. But problems were building. Events he didn't know if he could stop. Deadlines loomed. Lying in bed with Kelly wouldn’t protect her.

  They’d been thrown in the middle of something neither of them fully understood. He’d better get some answers before it was too late. Now he’d experienced Kelly’s love, the thought of her death sent a jab of pain to his gut.

  At some point, he’d have to tell her that he’d returned to investigate Johnny Vega. He'd do it carefully and make her understand that his love for her was separate and didn't have anything to do with the current mess with Vega.

  A sense of remorse shook him. He should’ve had more self-control and waited to make love to her until she knew about his assignment with the FBI. But he’d longed for her since the first day he saw her in her bed at the motel.

  Today for the third time, she'd asked him to take her. With the threat of her demise hanging over her head, he knew there might not be another chance for them to be together.

&
nbsp; He recalled Annie’s young face, the witness he’d been unable to save. Even though five years had passed, her eyes still haunted his dreams. He tore his gaze from Kelly, dressed and left the bedroom. He’d make damned sure he succeeded in protecting her.

  In the living room, the flames in the fireplace were embers dying one by one. His body heated remembering Kelly standing nude in front of him. Back lit by the flames of the fireplace, the fire's light had turned her blonde hair to pink, the color of her rosy nipples. Her skin had shimmered smooth and evenly tan in the firelight, her hazel eyes filled with love. He groaned. When she knew why he was with her, there’d be loathing her eyes.

  He retrieved his cell phone from a table near the fireplace. He had a text message from Maryann in the FBI office with facts on George Nickels, the man who’d paid Amanda for information about Kelly. Nickels had entered the U.S. on a temporary work visa. His native country was Greece. He worked for In-Tech. Though it was unclear what he did for them. His work visa expired at the end of next month. The man’s description: thirty-five years of age, six feet four inches tall and a hefty two hundred and sixty-five pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.

  Why would a foreign national get hired at a high tech company with defense contacts for the U.S. Government? What expertise could he have that couldn't be found in the States?

  He dialed In-Tech and asked for George Nickels.

  “Mr. Nickels is in Reno on business, he won't be back until next week. Would you like his voice mail?” A woman asked.

  “Yeah, thanks.”

  Brick listened. It was the same voice message he’d heard when he called the phone number Amanda had given him. He disconnected without leaving a message.

  So Mr. Nickels was in Reno. Brick rubbed his chin and wondered if the man had anything to do with Amanda's so called accident and Agent Simmons’s death.

  Nickels fit the description of the first intruder to enter Kelly’s house, tall, muscular, dark eyes, black hair and wearing a signet ring with an initial “N”. Was the intruder Mr. Nickels? Maybe he dared to wear the signet ring because no one knew him. He was a stranger from off shore.