“Roscoe. It’s Lethal. I need to see about giving Two the option to stay at the ranch. His heart’s not in it anymore, and I’m watching him withdraw every day. Is there a position there for him? He’s staying on my squad out of loyalty, and I don’t want to see him break. If there was something for him to do there, maybe he wouldn’t feel like he was deserting us. Call me.”
Nina stopped typing and stared at the phone. The voice was enough that she was suddenly uneasy and on edge, but she couldn’t quite place it. She worried over that for a moment, then, thought about the name Two. She hadn’t thought about the kind-hearted male that had always sheltered the females brought to his cell block. He’d tried to give them a little respite in the hell they’d all struggled to survive. She tried to bring his face to mind, but just couldn’t. She could remember light brown hair and kind chocolate brown eyes. But she didn’t remember his face. She couldn’t remember what any of their faces looked like. All she knew them by was the numbers they were assigned, and according to her database, every male that had arrived at Alliance Ranch had all been given one of the same five numbers so there was no way to know who exactly they were. Unless she recognized them, and so far she hadn’t.
“You okay?” Roscoe asked, walking through their shared door.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about someone,” Nina answered.
“Oh yeah? Who?” he asked.
Nina thought about not answering, but what was the harm in it? Roscoe knew her real name and there was nothing else to hide. “A male that went by Two. He was in the first squad I was assigned to. He was kind and good. I wonder often if he survived. I hope he did. I hope he’s okay.”
“You ever tried to look him up, to see if he was rescued. Maybe he’s here,” Roscoe said. “We have a lot of males who were once called Two.”
Nina shook her head. “I can’t quite remember what he looked like. I think I must have blocked it all out. I could be standing next to any one of the males from that squad, and I’d never know. But it’s like that for all the males I was exposed to. I don’t remember them. Sometimes I think I know one or two of them for different reasons… the way they act around me, or the sound of a voice, but I’m not sure. And honestly, I really don’t want to know. It makes life easier, you know?” she asked.
“Not exactly, but I can understand what you’re saying. Sometimes it’s better to leave the past behind. And people you like today, you may not like if you remembered them from the past.”
“Exactly!” Nina said. “And I know in my head their behavior wasn’t their fault, but in my heart, I’m still making peace with it.” She looked at her computer screen where she’d typed in the message and thought about Two again. “Two was a good male. I’m sure he was a good man before all this misery, too. I hope he made it out okay, and that he’s well.”
“I hope so, too,” Roscoe said, not able to tell her that Two was just fine without letting her know that the squad she referred to was actually in Alliance Ranch. Lethal didn’t want her to know that, and Roscoe agreed. Better left unsaid…
“Oh!” Nina called out as he walked through the door that adjoined their offices. “I typed up a message for you, it’s from Lethal,” she called out.
Roscoe looked up sharply, causing himself to bump into the corner of his desk. “Crap!” he cursed, rubbing his knee.
“You alright?” she asked.
“Yeah, just hit my knee. What did he say?” Roscoe asked.
“I typed it in for you. He’s wondering if there’s something for Two to be needed for here at the ranch. You’ll see.”
“Alright, I’ll take a look,” Roscoe answered. “What else do we have going on today?”
“Well, the apartments are almost finished, the pool is done. I was thinking we could launch some new kind of recreation for everyone.”
“Like what?” Roscoe asked, taking his seat and logging in to see the message she’d typed up for him.
“I don’t know. Everyone is always working, or in the rec center, which while thoughtful to include in the community, is somewhat limited,” Nina said. “So, it’s either work, rec center, swim — which seems very popular, and that’s about it. So if you don’t like video games, working out, or swimming. All there really is to do is mill around the park. So, I thought, everyone likes to dance. Maybe something with music,” Nina suggested.
“What, like live bands, a concert?” Roscoe asked.
“Well, eventually, maybe. But, right now, the world doesn’t know about us so bringing someone in wouldn’t be feasible. But for now, maybe just a DJ or something. Some recorded music out in the park, like a block party or a small festival, and we’ll do it each week. It’s centrally located and we could have barbecue and music and Frisbee, and everyone could unwind and dance and visit. It might bring some of those who don’t interact very much out of their shells,” she said, glancing out toward the cafeteria through the glass walls of her office.
“It’s not a bad idea. Just kick back and enjoy,” Roscoe said.
“Exactly. I was thinking Tuesdays would be good. Everyone just relaxes on Sunday, Monday is crazy, Tuesday would be the block party so to speak, Wednesday is back to work, Thursday is bearable because Friday is coming, then boom, Saturday’s here and it starts all over.”
“That could work. Let me talk to the General and we’ll see.”
“Okay. And if he prefers another day, that’s fine, too,” Nina said.
<<<<<<<>>>>>>>
Acker left the morning strategy meeting with Nina on his mind. They’d been in their new home for a couple of weeks now, and they still hadn’t made love. All he ever thought about was Nina, and it was getting so bad he was distracted when he should be paying attention.
“Hey,” Brutal called out from across the park as they walked toward each other.
“Hey, Brutal.”
“You better watch Nina, more than just me planning on grabbing her up and making an honest woman of her,” Brutal said, chuckling.
Acker’s smile dropped. “What do you mean? Somebody bothering her?” he asked.
“Oh, no, man! Didn’t mean to make you worry. Everybody loves Nina. I was just teasing because Chef always has her pastry and coffee waiting for her if ya’ll don’t make breakfast. He’s pretty partial to her.”
“Oh, yeah. He is. And she’s partial to him, too,” Acker said, smiling again.
“I’ll see you later. Have to go to lockup and put together the new schedule,” Brutal said, moving toward one of the other barracks they’d revamped to be security headquarters, complete with a couple of jail cells, just in case. While the cells themselves were a sore spot for many of the Alliance population, the fact that they may be needed if someone committed a crime, and not on site, was even more of a sore spot so they’d all relented and agreed to put in two cells.
Acker waved and continued on his way. His mind thought of what Brutal said, and therein lay the problem. Nina had lived through males grabbing her up, forcing her to submit to them, and he didn’t want to make her feel like she had to sleep with him until she was ready. He was past ready, but wasn’t sure what she wanted. Until he did, there was no chance of them becoming intimate. “I’m going to have to talk to her,” he said to himself as he approached the administration building and pulled open the door. He walked in and stood where he was for a moment, just watching Nina work. He loved everything about her. The way she moved, the way she talked, the way she laughed. He even loved the little crease that formed vertically between her brows when she got irritated with him.
Slowly Acker walked toward her office, smiling when she finally noticed him and her face lit up. He entered her office, not pausing to even say hello.
As Acker moved toward her without a word, Nina rose from her seat and watched him coming toward her. Her heart thudded in her chest, and she wondered for the hundredth time if this would be the day he’d finally decide to officially make her his. He’d not made any move toward even trying to make love
to her, not even brought it up in conversation. He was perfectly happy to just hold her and kiss her at night. And while she appreciated the respect and reverence he showed her, she couldn’t help but wonder if he didn’t want her physically because he knew of what she’d been through. Maybe he couldn’t get it out of his head, and it killed any physical desire he might have had for her no matter how much he loved her. Acker’s lips curved up in a seductive smile, and he bit his bottom lip while he approached her.
Nina’s eyes widened. ‘This is something new,’ she thought to herself.
Acker moved right up so close to her that their bodies were touching. “Nina?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said, looking up at him.
“Do you ever think about… more?” he asked.
“More what?” she asked, not sure what he meant, and if she was wrong, she didn't want to embarrass him or herself.
Acker slid a hand around her waist and pulled her to his body. “More,” he practically growled at her. “I don’t want to rush you, and I’m trying to be patient, but I’m so preoccupied with you that I have no idea what I just sat and listened to for the last two hours,” he said truthfully.
“Oh, more!” she exclaimed.
“I need you, Nina. But if I’m rushing you, I’ll wait. If you can’t even consider it, I’ll still wait, but damn it’s hard to do,” he said, looking at her with a wicked gleam in his eye as he tried to do his best to balance the confusing need coursing through him — half of him wanting her naked beneath him, the other half of him wanting to shield her from anyone including himself that wanted her naked and beneath them.
“I didn’t think you wanted me,” she confessed, letting her eyes drift down and away from his.
“I hurt I want you so badly,” he admitted.
“You do?” she asked, lifting her gaze to his.
“Yes!” he said emphatically.
“Now?” she asked hopefully.
“Now? What about work?” Acker asked, not wanting to suggest she leave her desk in the middle of the day.
“Roscoe?” she called out, not taking her eyes off Acker.
“Yeah!” Roscoe answered.
“Can I take the rest of the day off? I’m caught up with everything. You’ll only have to watch the phones, or not. I’ll come back later and check messages.”
Roscoe looked up and found Nina and Acker in an embrace. “Sure, go ahead. Enjoy your day,” he called.
Chapter 33
Acker watched as Nina opened her desk drawer and grabbed up the small purse she’d begun to carry that had her lipstick, hairbrush, and house keys in it. All the while she kept her eyes on Acker. Her smile never wavered as she took his hand and whispered to him. “Let’s hurry home.”
Acker didn’t have to be told twice. He didn’t look back as he threaded his fingers with hers and made a beeline for the front door of the admin building.
<<<<<<<>>>>>>>
Lethal stood alone beside one of the gazebos that had been placed around the park in the center of Alliance Ranch. His eyes were inevitably drawn to the admin building. In that building sat the most precious part of his world. The only one that meant anything at all to him. And it was for her, that he stayed away, keeping his presence a secret in order to preserve her newfound happiness.
He looked around himself at the people going about their day. The strategy meeting this morning had been something he just didn’t think he could sit through, so he didn’t. Instead, he’d sent Feral and the squad to represent him. And he’d waited only until they’d left their quarters for the meeting, then he’d gone straight to the bench he’d become extremely intimate with in recent weeks.
Lethal’s eyes were drawn to the admin building as the very subject of his obsession exited the building. At the same time he delighted in seeing her smile and hearing her laughter, a knife stabbed through his heart at the sight of her hand in another male’s. But there was nothing he could do. This was her male, and he made her happy. He watched silently as Nina and her male made their way, laughing and pausing to kiss from time to time, across the park toward their home. He knew well where she lived and had even let himself into their home when they first moved in to be sure that all was secure and there were no weak places of entry.
When they got far enough away from him that he had to rise from his seat on the bench to follow their path to keep them in his sights, he did so. He pretended to watch the ducks in the small pond at the end of the park closest to the medical clinic when Acker stopped at their front door, gently taking Nina in his arms and kissing her passionately while walking her backwards into the door.
Lethal’s chest rumbled in displeasure while he watched, knowing only too well he could do nothing to stop what he had no doubt would be happening next. He watched as Nina waited while Acker unlocked their door with her back still to it, then she stepped backward into the house, using a finger to call Acker toward her with a seductive look on her face. Acker rushed inside, lifting her off her feet and kicked the door closed behind himself.
Lethal threw his head back, allowing his frustration, his anger, his pain to power the roar that filled the air and permeated all of Alliance Ranch before finally feeling like he could possibly control himself again. Then he walked away, his chest rising and falling dramatically, his mouth pulled into a grim expression, shaking his head in disbelief at the degree to which a female could control him without even having knowledge of it.
<<<<<<<>>>>>>>
Nina backed into the house as soon as Acker unlocked the door and lifted her hand to call Acker to her with a crook of her finger. “I’ve been waiting, Glenn. I thought you didn’t want me that way. And if you didn’t, I was going to live with it, but I’m so glad I don’t have to.”
“I want you every moment of every damn day! I can’t work. I can’t think. All I can do is think of the dozens of ways I want to touch you, taste you. You’re in everything I do, Nina. Every thought I have. I need you, Nina,” Acker said huskily.
Nina smiled at Acker. “Then come get me,” she said, licking her lips with the tip of her tongue.
Acker stepped into their home, lifted her into his arms and devoured her lips while at the same time he kicked the door closed behind himself. He started toward the back bedroom, still carrying Nina who was trying to climb his body and touch him everywhere at the same time.
A roar sounded from somewhere outside and Nina stopped what she was doing, she stopped moving, she simply stared off into space as she waited for the roar to subside.
“Nina?” he said, puzzled at her sudden change of mood.
“What?” she whispered, still listening as the roar died down.
“You okay?” he asked.
Nina nodded. “That roar…” she said, not finishing her sentence.
“Don’t let it bother you. We brought in a new squad yesterday. One of them is probably having a hard time assimilating. It’ll be fine. He’ll be fine.”
“You sure?” she asked.
“Yes. But we don’t have to finish this now if it’s upset you,” Acker said, wanting her to be as fully receptive to him as he was to her when they finally did make love.
“No!” she said, her attention returning to Acker. “No, I want to. I’ve been anxious wondering if it was my past you couldn’t get around. I want this, I need it,” she said.
“Are you sure?” Acker asked, not wanting to pressure her.
“Yes. I need this. I need to know that I’m still desirable. I need to know that I can get pleasure from intimacy with a male that I trust and that means everything to me.”
“Man,” Acker said with a slight smile.
“Man, yes. I’m sorry.”
“Not a problem. Just reminding you there’s a difference and I’m just plain ole me,” Acker said.
“And I want, and need just you,” Nina said, looking into his eyes.
“You sure?” he asked.
“I am.”
Acker placed her on her feet. “Then
, may I show you to our bedroom, my love?” he asked, extending a hand toward the end of the hall where their bedroom lay.
Nina smiled up at Acker before taking his extended hand in hers and guiding him toward their bedroom. She only took a few steps before she asked nonchalantly, “Have you seen the newly arrived squad? What does their Alpha look like? Black hair?” she asked.
Acker’s eyes narrowed. He knew this was more than a casual question. “No, he’s blonde,” he answered truthfully.
Nina’s posture immediately relaxed. Her gait was bouncier, happier and she turned around to wink at him over her shoulder. “You know… I’m leading you here. Seems to me if you really wanted me, you’d have already stripped and be ushering me toward the bed or the first flat surface you see,” she said teasingly.
“Done!” Acker answered, letting go of her hand to strip his shirt off and toss it to the floor, followed immediately by his shoes and pants.
Nina stood where she was watching Acker strip out of his clothes, standing before her unabashedly naked. Her eyes roved over his washboard abs and the many tattoos that covered his stomach, chest and arms. It was obvious that not all were professionally done. Some were the work of his brothers in the motorcycle club he rode with after his military service and before joining The Alliance, but somehow, that made them even more provocative.
Acker stood proudly, his hands at his sides, clenching and unclenching as he waited for her to finish her perusal of his body. His cock was hard and already leaking at the idea that in the next few moments he’d have Nina’s naked skin against his. Her taste on his tongue and her body wrapped around his.
Nina’s eyes drifted down to his cock, and she felt her body begin to prepare for him. The little flutter of delight that she experienced had slight tears forming in her eyes.
“Nina?” Acker asked, taking a step toward her.
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