by Em Petrova
Broshears shook his head. “I’ll get them to safety and we’ll evacuate the neighboring houses. I don’t know what else is in that place, but she could have enough material to blow the whole block.”
When he reached Vivian, she held out her arms for Zack, and he lowered the animal to the grass. Her hands trembled as she hovered them over her partner. “It’s all right, Zack. He’s alert!”
“I know.” Broshears touched her shoulder. “I have to get the neighbors out.” He pointed at Geri, hunched into a ball on the ground. “You—don’t move.”
Chapter Five
Vivian listened to every word the veterinarian told her, but she still couldn’t believe that Zack was out of the woods.
“He’s going to stay here and our techs will closely monitor him, but he seems to be responding well since we have his pain under control.” The kind-faced vet looked from her to Broshears.
He settled his hands on her shoulders. “So you’ll call and keep us updated on Zack’s condition?”
“Yes. We’ll give you updates every three hours until the time he is ready to go home. At the point he’s discharged from the hospital, we’ll send you home with instructions for his care. He’s very lucky.”
“He’s a hero.” Broshears’ grated words made Vivian jerk underneath his hands.
The vet told them to come and say goodbye to Zack and they’d take good care of him. Vivian walked through a fog, but in the recesses of her mind she recognized it as trauma. First her father, then the man who died in front of her, and Geri. Alix.
And Zack.
A tear trickled from the corner of her eye, and she didn’t bother to swipe it from her cheek as she knelt in front of the cage where Zack lay. The big dog’s hind leg stretched out in a splint. He’d suffered a dislocated hip and the rest of his leg hair had been scorched off and the skin burned in spots. But he was alive, and he’d heal. She could process that much.
She reached into the cage and stroked Zack’s ears. “You’re such a good boy. You did great today, and you’re going to come home soon and I’ll give you all the treats you want.”
Her tear dripped off her jaw and fell to her breast. Zack leaned into her hand and his eyebrows twitched, but she could see the painkillers made him a bit out of it.
“He’ll sleep,” the vet tech told her. “We’ll take good care of him.”
Vivian nodded and moved away from the cage. To her surprise, Broshears knelt in her place and reached in to pet Zack.
“Thanks, Zack. I owe ya.” His voice came out thickly, and Vivian looked at him hard.
Once they were out of the animal hospital, she grabbed Broshears’ arm and pulled him to a stop. “Why did you thank Zack back there?”
He searched her eyes. “Don’t you know? He knocked me out of the way. I would have taken a big hit.”
She blinked rapidly. “Wh-what? I didn’t see what happened—it all went down so fast!”
“C’mon.” He took her to the SUV and they stopped at the passenger door.
She shook her head in astonishment. “He wasn’t trained to protect like a police dog is!”
“He still did it. He went above and beyond his duty.”
“Oh my God.” She broke down, plastering a hand to her face as she cried for everything that happened.
“Honey… He’ll be all right. The vet said so. His burns will heal. His hip’s in position and only needs time for the tendons to mend.”
“It’s not just Zack. It’s everything!”
“Christ.” He yanked her close, and she breathed in the scent of smoke on his clothes. Beneath that, she detected the smell that had filled her nose during their encounter in the airport. He planted a hand on her spine and rubbed in tiny circles, spreading warmth through her.
“I’ll take you home.”
She nodded and tried not to get snot on his shirt, not that it mattered when it bore several burn holes.
On the drive to her place, visions flitted through her mind. The events of the never-ending day were like papers scattered in a windstorm, and she lacked the energy to put them in order.
She sagged in the seat. Alix threw concerned looks her way. When he parked in her driveway, she had a sensation of a lot of time passing.
“It feels like a week since you picked me up this morning.”
“Bet you’re glad I drove, aren’t you?” His voice took on a joking note.
“Actually, I am.”
He cut the engine and turned to her. “You’ve been through a lot today, Vivian.”
She nodded. “Will you come in? Maybe we can get some food delivered.”
The corner of his lips twisted. “Do you actually think I’ll leave you alone tonight?”
Her insides fluttered, and her libido wasn’t the only thing standing at the front of the line for attention when it came to Alix Broshears—she wanted him to stay for more reasons.
“Come in,” she whispered.
He nodded and they got out of the vehicle. Walking to the house without her dog made a few more tears fall. Once they were inside, and Alix made certain the door was locked and deadbolted, he took her in his arms.
She gripped his big shoulders and let down her guard with the man. “When I told you Zack isn’t a pet, I was wrong. He is, in all ways. He’s…family.”
He kissed her on the forehead. “Of course he is. He knows it too.”
She tipped her face up to his. “He saved you.”
“I know.”
“Maybe he knows you’re my friend.”
Staring deep into her eyes—into her soul, it felt like—he nodded. “I think he does.” He smoothed his hands down her arms. “Why don’t you grab a shower and change clothes while I order food. Chinese or pizza?”
“I don’t care.”
“Okay—I’ll surprise you.”
She pulled away from him and waved at her living room furniture. “Make yourself at home. I won’t be long.”
He left her with a quirk of his lips as she walked to her room. Stripping off her clothes and stepping naked into a hot shower while Alix was in the other room gave her a tingle low in her belly. Flashes of their moments together today—of him carrying her beloved dog from Geri’s house, and the way he held her hand on the way to the animal hospital would never leave her memory.
He was a good man. A good partner.
A great lover.
Those tingles spread as she toweled off and dressed in leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. She brushed her hair and rinsed with mouthwash. When she walked into the living room, she stared at Broshears taking up her entire sofa.
He turned his head to look at her as she entered.
“You changed your clothes,” she said.
“Had a bag in the vehicle.”
“Ah.”
His gaze traveled over her attire, intense and with enough heat to leave her blazing. “Feel better?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Food will arrive in twenty minutes.”
“Sounds good.”
He scooted to the edge of the couch, his knees spread in a man pose. “Vivian, sit down. I think you need to talk.”
She started to shake her head but realized he was right. Anybody in their positions understood the benefit of debriefing—how it organized thoughts and events and put things in perspective.
When she settled in the opposite corner of the sofa, she curled her feet beneath her. A few inches of cushion separated her from Alix’s big body. He angled toward her with a long arm stretched on the back of the sofa.
Their stares met.
“Let’s start with you sharing your concerns over Geri.”
Biting into her lip, she nodded. “I was worried I was totally wrong and reading into things.”
“Understandable. You care about her.”
“I can’t believe it really was her.” She stared into space, shaking her head.
“It was only a matter of time before we traced the incidents to her. She wasn’t being c
areful—and it was only a matter of time before she kicked one of those boxes under her desk and blew the place up.”
A shuddering sigh trickled from her. “What did cause it? Did you touch those boxes?”
“I think the floor shook when Zack jumped on Geri and knocked her down.”
“I still can’t fathom why Zack did that.” She turned her focus on him.
“I’d say he’s more perceptive about his job than most people are. You may work with him primarily on detecting drugs or explosives or finding missing persons, but he understands more.”
She nodded. “My father trained him, and he was thorough.”
“How are you feeling about Geri?”
For a moment, she had difficulty speaking. Her throat burned, and she rubbed a palm over her face. “I’m glad she wasn’t hurt. I…hate that she’s in prison because of me.”
He slipped his arm down the sofa to take her hand. “Not because of you—she did it to herself. Do you think she’s acting on orders from her significant other?”
“Billy? God, I don’t know. Maybe. He might still have a vendetta against the people who work for the pipeline. Or for all I know, he lost his mind completely and he’s targeting everybody who ever played him wrong.”
“I received intel that those two men who died were in fact associated with the pipeline at one time,” he said gently.
She stared at Alix. “So it was him.”
“It looks to be connected. Whether or not Geri acted on her own or under Billy’s orders we don’t know.”
“But you’ll find out.”
“Yes.” He turned her hand over, cradling it on his big palm, and stroked her fingers. A shiver ran up her spine, and she withdrew her hand. Alix rested his arm on the sofa back once more.
Silence fell between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. She slid into her thoughts, and Alix seemed to do the same. When the doorbell sounded, she jerked, but Alix acted as though he’d expected as much and rose to his full height with the grace of a predator cat.
“Delivery,” he said.
She watched him stride to the door. God, he was a beautiful man. So much power and strength, and not just in his body. She’d never met a man like him.
He spoke to the delivery driver and then locked the door securely before returning with a pizza box and two bags in hand.
Scooting to the edge of the sofa, she pointed for him to put everything on the coffee table. “Did you get pizza and Chinese?”
“Figured it couldn’t hurt to have a variety.” He offered a crooked smile that flashed that dimple centered in his cheek. Caught unawares, she sucked in a sharp breath, and it stuck in her lungs.
He set the food down. “Drinks should be in one bag. I’ll get plates and napkins?”
“I can do it,” she began but he was already walking into the kitchen. She watched the confident roll of his shoulders and something deep fizzed inside her. Excitement? Desire.
They were simply having dinner after a horrible day in the line of duty. Nothing more.
He returned and sank to the sofa next to her. He passed her a plate and paper towel.
“Thanks.”
Sitting close, when he smiled she swore she felt the heat coming off it while being blinded by the flash of white teeth. To cover her jitters, she reached for the bag. “General Tso’s.”
“You like it?”
“My favorite, especially from this place.” She popped open a container and dumped some onto her plate. He dug into the pizza, dropping three slices to his plate.
“What did you get to drink?” She looked into the other bag and gasped. “Chocolate milkshakes?”
He grinned around a bite of pizza.
“How did you manage to get three foods from three restaurants? All high calorie, but still I won’t complain after the day we had!” She withdrew a shake and handed it to Alix. He curled his fingertips to touch hers and their gazes locked.
“You’d be surprised what a phone call and some bribery can do.”
Her breaths came faster, and she managed to let go of the milkshake.
They ate in companionable silence. She finished her Chinese and nibbled on a slice of pizza.
He pointed to her plate. “You don’t eat the crust?”
“I usually save it for Zack.” Depression settled over her at the thought of her dog in the hospital without her.
“They should call in a bit and update you.”
“Yes. Something to look forward to.” She set her plate and shake on the coffee table and curled up in the corner of the sofa again. Everything about Alix was pure masculine bad ass. Even the way he swiped his mouth with a paper towel had her on edge.
When he finished his meal, he closed the pizza box and set his plate on top. “Now. Turn around.”
She blinked. “What?”
“You heard me. You’re tense as hell, and your neck is all knots if I’m not mistaken. Twist around and I’ll rub your shoulders.”
“You don’t have to—” She broke off when she saw his do-it-now look.
Maybe it would be nice to have a massage. He did have big, capable hands.
Slowly, she pivoted on the cushion, presenting him with her back. He scooted close enough to scorch her with his body heat and set to work on her shoulders.
“Oh God.” She dropped her head to the side, eyelids closing on the pleasure of his long fingers kneading her stiff muscles.
He worked at her for a few more minutes. “Relax, Valentine.”
She bit off a giggle.
He stopped and leaned over her shoulder. In a deep rumble, he said, “Did I say something funny?”
Another giggle bubbled up. “It’s just that you’re all professional, calling me Valentine while you rub my shoulders.”
He worked at a particular knot that had her wincing for a moment and then after a minute or two, the tightness faded. He moved to her neck, gently pattering up and down until she dropped her head to the other side.
A rumble sounded near her ear, and then a smoldering hot set of lips touched her throat. She sucked in air and forgot to release it as Alix brushed his lips over her flesh and up to her earlobe.
“Tell me to stop and I will.”
She panted, her pussy clenching. “What if I don’t want you to?” She twisted into his arms, and he yanked her into his lap in a straddle. Facing him, their gazes locked, she whispered, “You don’t have to comfort me this way.”
His eyes glittered. “It’s not comfort. It’s raw fucking desire.”
He took her mouth in a searing kiss that stole all thought, resistance and shut down any argument about sleeping together. He cupped her nape and drew her into the kiss, feeding her his tongue in slow sweeps as he stole her moans with his lips.
Passion and desire blazed through her system. She wiggled over his impressive erection, her thin leggings allowing her to feel every rigid inch.
A groan told her he liked that, and she rocked again as she kissed him in return with every ounce of pent-up need and months of daydreams and fantasies had left her with.
Gripping his shoulders, she levered herself to rub her pussy on him, dry-humping with abandon.
“Fuck, honey. You’re so goddamn worked up.” He planted his hands on the globes of her ass and helped her move. He watched her face as she trembled with molten want, on the razor’s edge of control.
He whipped her sweatshirt up and off and ducked his head to suck her neck and the crests of her breasts. When she reached behind her and popped her bra clasp, her breasts spilled into his hands.
“Jesus, you’re glorious.” He lifted one straining tip to his open mouth and sucked her in. Her nipple pebbled. She bucked.
His rough five o’clock shadow rasped over her sensitive skin as he moved to her other breast and gently grazed her nipple with his teeth. A harsh cry escaped her, and she dug her fingers into his thick hair and tugged his head down for more bliss.
Suddenly, he lifted her off his lap and tossed her onto
the sofa, following her down, his big chest covering her and his hips wedged between her thighs.
“Alix!” She peeled his black T-shirt off his muscles and threw it. She heard it scrape the pizza box but gave up caring as she explored the shape of the muscles packed onto his torso.
He sucked her nipples until she quaked. Her panties were slick, and her clit throbbing for his mouth on her. Just when she thought she’d never survive one more minute of him circling her nipple with his tongue, he reared back, grabbed the waist of her leggings and ripped them down. She kicked her way out of them, and he stilled her with a big hand cupping her pussy.
He searched her face. “You don’t know how much I’ve wanted this since the airport.”
Her breath hitched. “My pussy?”
“Your pussy. Your breasts. Your body. You.” He started to lean down to kiss her, and stopped as the “Imperial March” from Star Wars blasted through the living room.
“What the hell is that? Did I sit on the remote?” Broshears set his hand on the floor and tilted his body from Vivian’s as the music cut through his sexual haze.
“It’s my phone! The vet.” She scrambled underneath him, and he rolled off her to grab her phone from the coffee table.
She ripped it from his hand and jerked it to her ear. “This is Vivian Valentine.”
He watched her closely. Her shoulders that had immediately tensed when she sat up now drooped with relief.
“Oh good. I’m so happy to hear Zack’s doing okay. Yes, please call in a few hours. I’ll be waiting. Thank you.”
She ended the call and looked at him.
Her black hair was mussed and tumbled into one eye as it did the first time he lost control. He was about to lose it again.
He flicked his gaze over her perky, naked breasts. The tips were still hard, and he bit off a growl. He wasn’t a total beast—he could at least give her a moment to process the phone call about Zack.
“All good?”
She ran her eyes over his chest. “Uh-huh.”
“Good.” He grabbed her phone and tossed it to the floor. Then he yanked her to the edge of the sofa cushion, spread her legs and dived in.
Her sweet folds drenched his lips and tongue. She moaned loudly as he burrowed into her entrance. His cock barely fit in his cargo pants, and he swore the zipper would be imprinted on the length.
