by Kell, Sheila
Going to Cody won out. As it should. He’d rather be there too, but he needed to hear what Jesse had to say. “I’m going to the house.”
Before she drove down the path, he circled the vehicle and gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll meet you in a few minutes.”
She hesitated. “Promise to tell me everything?”
“Yes.” And he would, even if he knew it might hurt her. Personally, he hated to give her bad news. Professionally, she needed to know it to do her job.
As she drove away, he watched her back in that big T-shirt. She hadn’t even wanted to stop and change out of it.
Without taking their eyes from her, Ken asked, “Whatcha got?”
“She’s back.”
Jesse hadn’t needed to identify the “she” because it’d only be the bitch on the run.
“Dev doesn’t know how she got back without triggering anything. A neighbor told AJ he’d seen her lurking in the neighborhood.”
Anger pumped fast in his veins with a cold lick of fear that she’d get to Sam somehow. “Do they have her?”
Jesse shook his head. “No. We sent Casper, Speedy, and Nemo to the area to help AJ and Jake cover it more thoroughly.”
He digested that for a moment with confusion. “Why Bravo team and not mine?”
“I almost sent yours.”
“So why didn’t you?” Ken asked, his brows raised.
With tight lips, Jesse offered, “Because I thought your team would want to be here when we brought her in.”
He nodded his gratitude. “Okay. Think we’re going to have any problems bringing her here?”
Jesse shook his head. “Shouldn’t, but we can’t hold her. Once she realizes that and pushes to leave, we’ll keep an eye on her, along with Sam and Cody.”
“They can’t live here forever.” They’d be living with him soon. As soon as he could get her to agree. A sigh escaped him.
“What’s wrong?” Jesse asked.
He shook his head. “I just hate Sam having to deal with a woman—her friend—who betrayed her.”
“You can’t protect her from all the hurts in the world.”
“I know. She’s quite capable of taking care of herself. Hell, she basically rescued me. I just wish I could hand her a perfect world.”
Jesse chuckled and slapped him on the back. “Spoken like a true man in love.”
He couldn’t disagree with that statement.
“On a brief sidetrack, our attorney is almost done with the paperwork on Cody. It was a good call on your part to jump on it early.”
A lump formed in his throat at the generosity of the Hamilton family. “Thanks.”
“Anything for you, Ken. We’ve been together for a long time. You’re my family too.”
Good God. His eyes misted, and he corralled his emotions.
“Are you going to marry her?”
Without hesitation, he answered, “Yes.”
Jesse reached forward and slapped him on the shoulder blade. “Let us know when the big day is.”
“Well,” he hedged, “she hasn’t actually said yes.”
Ken didn’t find it funny like his boss. Jesse threw his head back and roared with laughter.
To change the subject, Ken asked, “Kate mentioned us resting. What’s all that about?”
“Sam needs to rest and step back until we bring Beverly in. The intensity of her desire to find the woman doesn’t mix with what we need to do. We’ve learned about how that passion can screw up an op.”
He figured it was something like that. “Why not just sideline her and let me get back to it. This was my assignment to begin with.”
“Because,” Jesse said, “I think you’re the only person who will make her step back.”
He’d never shirked his duties or allowed something or someone to take precedence. The only time he’d missed an op had been when his father had died.
Already feeling like his family was in danger, he disregarded his aches and moved forward with what he had to do. He had to keep Sam and Cody safe until Beverly was in their hands.
“How do you expect me to do that? As soon as I tell her she’s out, she’ll go rogue. Anything to protect Cody.”
A corner of Jesse’s lips twitched. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
He flipped Jesse the bird and strode off.
At the corral, Cody sat astride a beautiful brown horse with a white stripe down its head.
Pride infused him at the sight of the kid on the horse and Sam smiling while resting her foot against the bottom rail of the wood fence. He had a feeling they’d visit quite often.
Coming up beside Sam, he leaned on the top rail while his fingers itched to touch her… feel her silky skin… pull her close to his body…. His blood heated at each thought.
Boy, he had it bad. He clasped his hands tightly to keep them where they were.
“I want him with us,” she said.
Her use of “us” sent his heart into an unnatural beat. He knew she meant now, but…. “You want to tear him away from this to make you feel better? I’d like him with us too, but he won’t be happy about it. He’s safe with Rylee and Brett.”
She let out a weary sigh. “I know. I just….”
Screw not touching her. He turned to her and pulled her into his embrace. “You’re just acting like a mom who cares.”
Into his shoulder, she said, “I just worry about him. He’s been through so much.”
He kissed the top of her silky strands. “I agree, but being with Reagan has been good for him. It’s like a big sleepover to him. Don’t take that away right now.”
“Okay,” she reluctantly agreed.
Stepping out of their embrace, he said, “Come on, let’s go lie down. You look worn out.”
She tossed him a flippant grin. “Gee, that’s nice to say.”
He shrugged. “Had to be said.” Grabbing her hand, he led her to a golf cart, up the path, inside the house, up the stairs, and to a guest room, holding his breath from time to time when she lagged.
Leaning back, she eyed him with small slits in her gaze. “How’d you know I’d be in this room?”
With a sly grin and wink, he responded, “Trade secret.”
Entering the room, he closed the door and walked her back to it with slow, easy steps as if it was a dance they’d perfected. Being this close to her, his breathing grew heavy and his heart light. The woman tied him up in knots he’d purposefully never undo.
The love and desire that gleamed in her eyes and on her face nearly sent him over the edge. Bringing his hands up to rest against the door on either side of her head, he noticed a slight tremor in them. When she licked her lips, the tight grip on his patience snapped.
“I’ve waited long enough for this.”
34
Sparks of pleasure shot between them, igniting the fire he’d built within her. His lips descended to meet hers, taking his time, letting his tongue explore the inside of her mouth before languidly tangling with hers. He acted as if they had all the time in the world, but she knew they’d get called back to HQ at some point.
Pushing that thought aside, she took advantage of the time they had. The events in the cave were foreplay, and Ken, despite his injuries, came at her with the force of a hurricane.
When his lips moved hungrily against hers, shooting a bolt of lust to her core, her hands fluttered over his chest, then he stiffened. Remembering his burns, she pulled back, unsure.
With a “Fuck it,” he pulled her snug against his heated body. A small smile came to her lips on his low growl.
With the hardness of his arousal against her, she wanted to throw herself, spread eagle, on the bed and tell him to love every inch of her. Yet she wanted him to splay out like that so she could feast. Their future would not get tiring.
&
nbsp; As his lips moved to her neck, she tilted her head and all but mewled as she rubbed herself against him like a cat. When he spread red-hot kisses over her neck to her ear and back, she almost missed when his hands slid down, reaching the hem of her shirt and tugging it up.
Against the need in her body, she straightened and moved her hands to his, stopping the movement. “Didn’t you say the doctor frowned at you when he found out about your idea of ‘activities’?”
That infuriatingly sexy grin spread across his face. “Yep.”
She arched her eyebrow. “Didn’t he say you shouldn’t do anything until you’re healed?”
“Yep.”
If possible, that grin grew. “So what are you doing?”
“This.” With her hands over his, he lifted the ridiculously large T-shirt she wore.
“But—but, your leg.”
“Screw my leg. Now,” he said with a raspy voice, “get that damn contraption off.”
It took her a moment to understand he meant her sports bra. She’d hated wearing the dirty thing, but going braless to the hospital hadn’t been an option. Of course, seeing her struggle with it in the cave probably gave the impression it was impossibly difficult to remove. But it’d been wet then. It was thankfully super easy when dry.
With what she hoped turned out to be a saucy grin, she stripped the undergarment off and whirled it around her finger like a stripper, then slung it across the room.
His eyes darkened, desire resting within.
When he took a step back and surveyed her naked torso, self-consciousness burst forth and she almost covered herself. Almost. Having that first real night with someone you loved shouldn’t make one nervous, but there it was. She shoved that thought aside, opened herself to him and smiled.
She searched his eyes for any clue to his thoughts. Then she saw it; he devoured her with a hunger that looked near to bursting.
When his eyes left her breasts and returned to her face, he opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He tried again. “You’re perfection.”
“I’m not even fully undressed yet.”
Slowly a grin slipped across his face. One that turned her insides and had her craving his touch… his kisses… his loving. “We can correct that right now.”
Stepping toward her, their eyes remained locked in a smoldering embrace that could’ve set the room ablaze. He reached for the top of the jeans she’d borrowed. She didn’t protest as he unbuttoned, unzipped, then slid them down before she stepped out of them.
“Damn.” Licking his lips, he looked at her non-underwear state, then her. “If I’d known you’d been commando underneath, I’d have removed those pants long before now.”
Smiling, she reached for his shirt, but he stopped her.
“I’ll do it.”
Actually seeing the few spots on his chest where he’d been burned almost put a damper on things. Would every time she saw them remind her of how she’d almost allowed her ex-friend to talk her into killing the man she loved and her boss? She’d have to remember the positives—she and Ken came together, they had a major connection in the cave, the team came out to support them, and best of all, Cody was going to be safe with her.
He must’ve realized she began to cool because he tilted her chin up so she could look him in the eyes. “Don’t. They don’t hurt and we’re safe.” His lips gently touched hers, moving slowly over her mouth while a hand sneaked in and played with one of her breasts.
Bad times forgotten, she leaned into his touch with a moan of pleasure. Once she responded and everything flared up again for them, he shifted his kisses to her breasts, moving from one to the other leaving them heavy and eager for his lips and tongue. When his mouth grasped a nipple and sucked and tugged, she let out a strangled cry at the jolt that shot to her core.
Needing to touch him, but not wishing to break away from the pleasure, she reached toward him, rubbing his erection through the jeans. It wasn’t enough, so she reached for the button.
On a growl, he said, “Bed.”
She didn’t argue, but worried when she saw him unable to bend as he removed his jeans and underwear. He’d adjusted by pushing both down as far as he could while standing, then sat on the edge of the bed and pushed them down, toeing them off at the bottom.
His magnificent cock stood at attention, and she wanted it inside her more than she wanted her next breath. They belonged together, and they belonged in a loving embrace and act.
Her mind whirled at how difficult it’d been for him to remove his jeans. The doctor said he shouldn’t do this. Being selfish, she didn’t want to stop, but maybe she should. Well, she’d tried that already, and he’d argued. Hurting the man she loved didn’t sit well with her.
“Ken—”
“Quit, Sam. I’ll be fine as long as I’m not on top. The muscles in my leg aren’t ready for that. Lie here beside me and let’s do that—kissing and touching thing.” He settled himself on his good side and patted the space next to her. This looked awfully familiar.
Smiling, she crawled over beside him. Propped up on elbows, they faced each other with little space between them.
She tried to move closer, but he halted her. “I need space to touch you.”
Need radiated through her, pulsing at her core. She didn’t want to wait.
Each kiss reached deeper and deeper into her heart that he’d set free. Free from the hate… free from the darkness… free from her refusal to live life as she should… free to love again.
While his mouth slipped down her neck on a path to her breasts, her hand slid down his body past a well-defined chest and a taut stomach. He stiffened and a moan slipped from him when she gripped his cock. Although she’d already seen him and touched him, it felt new. A new step in their relationship.
As if to keep up with her exploration, his free hand burned its way down her body, then moved between her thighs.
“Sweetheart, you’re wet for me.”
He didn’t have to tell her that, she knew. “I want you inside me.” While she’d love more foreplay, she didn’t wish to wait any longer. She pulsed with her need for him.
He grinned and rolled onto his back. “You don’t have to tell me that twice.”
A giggle bubbled out and didn’t fit in their setting. It went to show how easy they meshed.
Straddling Ken, she avoided looking at the burns but noticed something she’d somehow been missing. Near his left arm socket, a round scar as big as a nickel stood out. Tentatively, she reached out and touched it. She didn’t need to ask.
“The bullet hit around the edge of my vest. Bled like crazy. That one evened up Jesse and me saving each other’s lives, dragging one back wounded from a battlefield of sorts. Then, he got hurt again.”
Tears misted her eyes at all this man had endured in his life.
“Enough of that. If you don’t slide yourself down, I’ll pick you up and do it.” He closed his eyes and tensed. “Shit. Condom.”
“Oh.” In her mind, she screamed, Nooooooo!
“There’s one in my wallet. Back pants pocket.”
“I’ll get it.” She climbed from the bed, nearly ripping his wallet from the pants pocket to hurry back to bed.
Without a word, she opened the package and rolled the condom down his length. Straddling him again, she positioned herself on him and smiled.
He repeated, “If you don’t slide yourself down, I’ll pick you up and do it.”
Without arguing, she grabbed him, and when she slipped his cock inside her, her world changed. Once she was fully seated, no one else in her life would do.
With his hands on her ass, he moved her to a tempo that flamed the burning inside to a raging wildfire. She wondered if she could die from this much bliss.
“Sam, you feel so good. So tight. So perfect.”
She leaned down to
kiss him, but he shifted her up slightly to place his mouth on her breast.
As she rode him, each movement built upon that fire and only he could extinguish it and send her floating into that pleasantly sated place.
“We were made to be together,” he said before clamping onto a nipple again.
“We were.” Sitting back up, she adjusted her hips and moved in a rhythm that, if the tension in his jaw indicated anything, led him closer to the edge as it did her.
Moving faster as her core throbbed in the desperate need for release, he growled, “You’re killing me.”
With a grin, she kept going, feeling euphoria spiraling through her. When her eyes squeezed shut and her head dropped back in surrender, she contracted around him, knowing it brought him closer to his release.
As if in tune with what she needed, he raised his hips to push deeper into her and groaned. Her breath caught, and her eyes shot open to look at him with concern. The movement had to have sent a shock wave to his injury.
“Don’t you dare stop,” he ordered.
Unable to stifle a moan, she obeyed his order and rode him, taking every bit of pleasure he gave. She launched headfirst into a contentment that swallowed her whole.
Barely conscious, she heard a rumbling growl, and her name as release overtook him.
She dropped onto him, sliding a bit with their sweat. Both breathing heavily, she felt his leg twitch underneath her. Lifting to look at him, the pain in his face couldn’t be denied.
“It’s okay,” he assured her. “Letting it rest will do the trick.”
“Will you be able to walk?” She couldn’t handle if she’d made him bedridden.
With a shaky hand, he reached for her cheek, and she leaned into his palm. “Yes, I will. Don’t worry. Come on, curl up here. We should try to get a couple hours of sleep while it’s offered.”
“Maybe we should’ve waited until you were fully healed.”
“No way would I have changed this moment. I’d endure any pain, as nothing in this life beats the feel of being inside you—body and soul. That damn poet or whoever coined the phrase had been right. Love does conquer all.”