by Anna Edwards
When their fingers touched accidentally, she pulled back quickly. Ian’s eyes gave away his enjoyment from the brief contact.
“Thank you,” he said smiling.
Without another word, Sarah stood from her crouched position and started to walk around him, but Ian’s hand on her forearm stopped her from moving any farther.
“Are you alright, Sarah? You seem…flustered.”
Pulling her arm free, “I’m fine. Just in a hurry.” With her best fake smile, Sarah said, “Have a good night, Ian” and made her way to the office’s glass doors.
She’d just started to push one open when Ian’s hand appeared on the glass above hers.
“Allow me.”
Sarah mumbled her thanks before exiting out into the building’s main entrance. Walking quickly, she made her way outside.
Thankfully, it was a nice evening, and there were still several people out and about. For some reason, the crowd put her at ease.
Not that she thought Ian would actually try to hurt her or anything.
Are you sure?
She could almost hear Kole’s voice in her ears. Wanting to keep her safe, he was always giving her advice that stemmed from things he’d learned while in the Air Force.
He once told her that evil could come in very pretty packages. Ian’s face flashed through her mind.
Picking up her pace, Sarah could almost feel him walking behind her. Just before turning into the building’s private parking garage, she glanced back over her shoulder, but he was gone.
God, maybe she was imagining it all. No, you’re not.
Sarah knew in her gut something was off about that guy. She just didn’t know what it was. She decided to tell Kole and see what he thought. Just not tonight.
Tonight was all about celebrating his success with Bravo Team. She could tell him about it tomorrow.
Kole knew something was up the second he opened his apartment door. The lights were turned low. The candles on the dining room table were lit, and a delicious aroma filled the air.
After securing the deadbolt, Kole dropped his bag and tossed his keys onto the small, glass table by the door. He was bent over, unlacing his boots, when he heard her sweet voice.
“Welcome home, soldier.”
Smiling, he stood straight…and lost his breath.
With her hands clasped loosely behind her back, Sarah stood a few feet away. Her golden hair fell in waves over one shoulder. Her makeup appeared to have been touched up, and that dress—
The red halter-style dress was his favorite. Its wide straps were tied neatly in a bow behind her delicate neck. The neckline plunged into a deep v, highlighting her ample cleavage.
The snug bodice hugged her trim waist, while the rest of the dress fell loosely around her hips, stopping just above her knees.
“Hungry?”
Kole’s eyes met hers. “Starved.”
The green in Sarah’s eyes darkened with desire, and one corner of her mouth tipped up slightly. She walked slowly toward him, stopping right in front of him.
“I guess you’d better hurry and clean up before your dinner gets cold.”
Raising a hand to her mouth, Kole traced her full, bottom lip. “I wasn’t referring to the food.”
On a whispered breath, Sarah said, “I know.” She then wrapped her lips around the tip of his thumb and sucked it into her mouth, teasing the tip with her tongue.
Inhaling sharply, Kole’s already hard cock twitched inside his dusty combat pants. He started to lean in, but Sarah surprised him by stepping back, just outside his reach.
“Not so fast, big boy. Shower first, then dinner.”
“But…”
“You have to eat your dinner before you can have…dessert.”
God, he loved it when she teased him like this. Narrowing his eyes, Kole smiled. “Fine.”
“Fine.”
With a smug expression, Sarah turned and headed back to the kitchen, but not before he got one good smack in.
Squealing, she spun around and rubbed her ass. “Hey!”
“Payback, baby.”
“For what?”
“The cold shower I’m about to take.”
After said shower and a delicious meal, Kole sat his fork down and rested his elbows on the table. “Okay, spill it. Who told you?”
Not bothering to deny it, Sarah smiled wide. “Nate. He sent me a text before the two of you left Jake’s ranch.”
Tongue in cheek, Kole shook his head. “Of course he did.”
“Don’t be mad at Nate. I sort of made him tell me.”
Kole’s brows shot up. “You made him?” He sat back in his chair, crossing his arms at his chest. With a smirk, he said, “This should be good.”
Sarah shrugged one of her delectably bare shoulders. “You’d said Jake was probably going to make his decision today, so I called Nate this morning to wish him good luck.”
Kole unfolded his arms and reached for his glass. “Go on.”
“I may have mentioned how Cam thought he was dreamy. Which, by the way, isn’t a lie.”
Narrowing his eyes, Kole took a sip as Sarah confessed the rest.
“I also told Nate I’d be happy to let Cam know the feeling was mutual if he didn’t tell me the second Jake announced you’d been chosen to go on the op with Alpha Team.”
Kole choked, nearly spitting out his water. “And he…”—he paused to cough—“he believed you?”
Looking quite devious, she said, “I can be very convincing when I need to be. It’s why I’m so good at my job.”
Throwing his head back, he barked out a laugh. “God, I love you.”
Sincerity filled her eyes as Sarah stared back at him. “I love you, too. Congratulations, baby.”
Kole stood and walked over, stopping next to where she was sitting. With his thumb and forefinger, he tipped her chin up and brought his lips to hers.
After a short, sweet kiss, he whispered, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Without another word, Kole pulled her to her feet and swept her up into his arms.
“Kole!” Sarah squealed as she latched her hands behind his neck. “What are you doing?”
“I ate my dinner like a good boy. I’m ready for my dessert.”
Laughing, Sarah ordered, “Put me down. I’m too heavy.”
“Sweetheart, I’ve carried a backpack full of gear up the side of a mountain that weighed more than you.”
Relenting, Sarah laid her head against his shoulder. Then as Kole began to walk them back toward their bedroom, he felt her warm, wet lips on the skin at the base of his neck.
“You’re playing with fire, Sarah,” he warned, his dick a throbbing club between his thighs.
“Mmm,” she cooed. “I like fire.” She kissed his neck again. “It’s hot.” She licked his pulse point, causing him to suck in a breath. “Just like you.”
Kole began to walk faster. Since the bedroom door wasn’t shut all the way, he used his toe to kick it open and made his way to their king-size bed.
She let out another squeal when he tossed her gently onto the mattress. Her body bounced slightly, causing her dress to ride up.
“Holy shit.” He stared at her exposed flesh. “You’re not wearing any panties.”
“Nope.”
Unabashedly, Sarah lifted her knees and spread her legs wide, giving him a perfect view of her glistening sex. She reached between her legs and began to slide her fingers up and down her slick folds.
Jesus. He loved how uninhibited she was with him.
With lightning speed, Kole stripped off his clothes. Even though he’d gone down on her countless times since they’d been together, his mouth still watered every time he thought about tasting her.
Naked, Kole kneeled onto the mattress and placed the palms of his hands on the insides of her knees. Pushing them apart even more, he leaned down and began licking her fingers as she continued to stroke herself.
Sarah moaned loud
ly, abandoning her swollen pussy so Kole could take over. Grunting shamelessly, Kole lapped up her sweet juices, his tongue alternating between spearing her entrance and swirling around her swollen clit.
“Oh, God, Kole. Please. I need more.”
Smiling, Kole’s lips brushed against her sensitive flesh as he spoke. “Tell me what you want, baby.”
“Your fingers. I want your fingers in me while you lick my clit.”
Kole obeyed, appreciative of the fact that she didn’t shy away from being honest about what she wanted.
Too many women were afraid to voice their needs, leaving the man to guess and then hope what they were doing felt good. Not his Sarah.
From their first time together, she’d been very vocal about telling him exactly what she needed from him. It was one of the billion and one reasons he loved her.
Kole slowly inserted his index finger, her wet heat immediately clamped down on him. He felt his own arousal beginning to bead on the swollen head of his cock, just before it dripped down over the head.
“You want more?”
“Yes, please.”
Her politeness made him smile. He inserted another finger and began to thrust them in and out in a steady rhythm.
She was so wet they could both hear every move he was making. It was one of his most favorite sounds in the world.
He began to thrust harder. Faster.
“Oh, God. Suck it, Kole. Suck my clit.”
Never one to leave a woman in need, Kole leaned down and sucked the engorged bundle of nerves between his lips.
“Oh, yeah. Just like that. Oh, God, Kole. I’m so close.”
Kole sucked even harder and began flicking her clit with the tip of his tongue. It was all she needed.
Sarah cried out as her orgasm hit, bucking so hard her entire lower body left the mattress. Kole wrapped his arms beneath her knees and held her to him, determined to swallow every ounce of her pleasure.
He continued to hold her like that until the waves of her climax began to calm. Sensing she was near the end, he raised himself up over her and positioned the tip of his cock to her soaked entrance.
Locking his eyes on hers, he entered her in one slow thrust. Using one arm to brace himself, Kole reached down with his other and untied the top of her dress.
Helping him out, Sarah pulled the material down so her entire dress was now bunched at her waist.
With his free hand, Kole used his thumb and forefinger to roll one of her distended nipples, causing her to inhale sharply. He knew they were even more sensitive now that she’d come, and he loved the way she reacted to his touch.
“You like that, baby?”
“God, yes.”
“I’m going to make you come again. Just like this.”
She nodded, her eyelids heavy, mouth slightly open.
Changing his angle slightly, Kole slid in and out of her body with steady, purposeful thrusts. The telltale tingling became present in his lower back, and his balls tightened. Jesus, he was already going to lose it.
A low, keening sound built up from Sarah’s throat, and just when he thought he couldn’t last a second longer, she threw her head back and cried out his name as she came a second time.
“Kole!”
He went over the edge with her. Determined to draw out every ounce of pleasure for them both, he continued to move his hips forward, milking himself with her body.
Afterward, they lay there, panting and sweaty. Both their hearts pounding inside their chests.
“I think you killed me,” Sarah mumbled softly.
Lifting a corner of his mouth, Kole exhaled a loud breath. “I think I killed us both.”
Pulling himself free, he flopped down on his side next to her. With one hand, he brushed some damp hair from her forehead. “But, what a way to go, yeah?”
Chuckling softly, she nodded. “Definitely.”
He leaned in and gave her a long, slow kiss before going into the bathroom to clean up. He then used a clean, warm washcloth to take care of her, gently wiping away the evidence of their lovemaking.
Once he was finished, Kole settled them beneath the covers, him lying on his back and Sarah’s head resting on his bare chest.
“You know…” His rugged voice rumbled. “I’m pretty sure most women don’t react in such a positive way, knowing their man is going off to places unknown for a potentially dangerous mission.”
Eyes closed, she smiled. “Well, I told you when we met…I’m not like other women.”
Kole remembered the conversation fondly. “Thank God for that.”
Sarah lifted her head to look at him. “I knew what I was signing up for when I agreed to marry you, Kole. I know how badly you want this, and I just want you to be happy. Sure, there are risks, but I support you one hundred percent. It’s kind of how this whole relationship-thing is supposed to work.”
He tucked a wayward curl behind her ear. “You’re amazing. You know that?”
She grinned. “I know.” Still serious, Kole said, “I love you, Sarah Davis, soon-to-be Sarah Jameson.”
“I love you, too, Kole Jameson, soon-to-be the luckiest guy in the world.”
With a sweet kiss goodnight, Kole wanted to tell Sarah she was wrong. He was already the luckiest guy in the world.
Chapter Three
Cam stared at her from across the small table. “Girl, you’re crazy.”
“Why?” Sarah took a sip of her coffee.
His brows shot up. “Why? Uh…because you seem perfectly fine with the fact that your man ran off almost a week ago without telling you where he was going or when he’s coming back.”
“Kole didn’t run off, Cam. It’s his job.”
“That’s precisely my point, honey. Are you sure you want to marry someone who can’t tell you where he’s going, when he’s coming back, or what he’s doing while he’s gone?”
“Yes.”
There was no hesitation in her answer. Even though she couldn’t know the specifics, Kole had shared some stories with her about how R.I.S.C. had helped people. What they did was important, which meant she wasn’t just okay with Kole being a part of Bravo Team…she wanted him to be.
“Well, you’re stronger than I am.” Cam sipped his Frappuccino through a straw. “Not that I can really blame you. I mean, holy hotness. Those guys Kole works with are beyond lick-worthy.”
Nearly spitting out her coffee, Sarah asked, “I’m sorry, lick-worthy?”
“You know what I mean. Some guys are good enough for a quick one and done, and others, like your hottie and his friends, are Tootsie Pops.”
She put her cup down on the table and sighed. “I know I’m going to regret this, but what exactly does that mean?”
Cam leaned forward, making his voice overly seductive. “When you’re with a Tootsie Pop, honey, you want to find out how many licks it takes to get to the center.”
“Oh, my God!” Sarah blurted loudly before quickly covering her mouth.
Several people turned their direction before going back to their own conversations. Cam simply sat back and took another sip, as if nothing had happened.
“You’re awful,” Sarah told him, still laughing.
He shrugged. “Just tellin’ it like it is, sweetheart.” Cam’s eyes shifted to something behind her. “Mmm…speaking of Tootsie Pops.”
Still giggling, Sarah swiveled her head toward the coffee shop’s door. Her heart gave a nervous thump.
“Nate?”
Hearing his name, Kole’s best friend smiled and quickly made his way to her table. “Hey, Sarah.”
“You’re back?” Looking past him, she scanned the other patrons. “Where’s Kole?”
“He, uh…he sent me to come pick you up.” To Cam, he said, “Sorry, to interrupt.”
Cam blatantly looked Nate up and down slowly. “Oh, honey. You can interrupt me anytime.”
If she weren’t so worried, Sarah would’ve laughed at the blush that crept into Nate’s cheeks.
“Pick me up?” she asked. “To go where? I’m still working.” Sarah glanced at Cam, then back to Nate. “We’re just on our lunch break.”
He shocked the hell out of her when he said, “You have the rest of the day off. I’ve already cleared it with your boss.”
That nervous thump turned into full-blown panic. Her breathing picked up. “What’s going on?” When he didn’t answer right away, she asked again, “Nate, where’s Kole?”
Sounding almost too calm, he smiled. “Kole’s fine. He just couldn’t get away and asked me to come instead.”
Abandoning her coffee, Sarah stood. “Cut the crap. Did something happen to Kole?”
Looking more than a little uncomfortable, he tried hard to assure her. “Kole’s okay, Sarah. I swear. There was a small…incident, but he’s going to be fine.”
An incident. Oh, God. “Going to be fine. So, he’s been hurt?”
Nate’s gaze slid to Cam’s then back to hers. “Yes, but it’s not bad. Just a scratch, really.”
“Oh, my God,” Cam said, standing next to her now. In a low whisper, he asked, “Was he shot?”
Avoiding the question, Nate looked at Sarah. “Why don’t you grab your purse? I’ll take you to him. Then you can see for yourself that he really is okay.”
Sarah snatched her purse off the back of her chair and started for the door.
“Call me when you can, sweetie,” Cam offered from behind her. “I’ll be praying for you both.”
Sarah didn’t hear him. She couldn’t hear anything but the blood rushing past her ears. Kole’s hurt. He’s been shot.
Ten minutes later, she felt like she was going to crawl out of her skin.
“He’s really okay?”
Nate smiled, putting her slightly more at ease. “He’s fine, sweetheart. Pissed as hell that he got hurt on his first op with R.I.S.C., but he’s fine.”
Please, don’t let him be lying.
As if he could read her mind, Nate patted her trembling knee. “I’m not lying, Sarah. He took a hit to his calf, but he’s going to be just fine.”
Sarah licked her dry lips, wishing they were at the hospital already. She had to see for herself he truly was okay.
When Nate turned into the parking lot of a building she didn’t recognize, Sarah turned to him. She started to ask where they were, but he beat her to it.