Freedom (Blackstone Series Book 3)

by J. L. Drake

  “So I can look at you and know that no one else is,” he whispered. I fell into his trance as he shifted me against the side rails. “So I can do this.” His finger ran from the top of my bikini strap, wrapped around my neck, and made a trail down to the top of my breast. I sucked in deeply, which lifted my chest, and his expression grew hungry. I could burst just from his touch alone.

  “How is someone so smart and beautiful still single?” He let his hand trail around to the other breast while I held on to his shoulders and treaded water the best I could.

  “I could ask you the same thing,” I huffed, completely lost in his warmth.

  His eyebrows pinched, and he gave me a lopsided grin. “You think I’m beautiful?” I nodded, and he thought for a moment. “No one has ever called me that.”

  “That’s a shame.” I tipped my chin, wanting his lips on mine. I was so wound up I could scream.

  The water splashed as his body pressed into mine, and I couldn’t miss his huge erection. Holy…!

  “You cold?” He ran a hand over my goosebumps while I shook my head. He urged my legs to wrap around his waist, and now we were face to face. The water lapped between us, and he pressed his chest to mine. “What do you want right now, Catalina?” The way he said my name made my legs flinch, and he cleared his throat. It had been a while since I’d been with a man, and holy shit, I missed it.

  “Anyone see Mike?” A shadow passed over his face, and Lizzy’s voice cut through my lust.

  His mouth moved to my ear before he grunted, “Tell me.”

  “Kiss me,” I responded from somewhere far away.

  His lips started at my earlobe and traveled south. Each peck came with a swirl of the tongue and a low moan like he was trying hard to control himself. I wished he’d let loose so I could.

  Curling his finger around the bow at my neck, he tugged, and my top let go, offering my bare breasts to him.

  “Jesus,” he murmured as he palmed one gently and then went back to kissing my neck. The water was my friend and helped keep my breasts nice and high as they bobbed between us. He bent and licked my nipple then drew it into his mouth slowly before he gave it a deliciously hard tug. My hands moved to his head to encourage him to keep going. I wanted him to taste every part of my body, to devour me completely. I could feel the buildup within, and I knew I might be about to experience a world-class orgasm.

  “Mike,” I panted in his ear. “Mike, I…” I squeezed my legs, needing more. Pushing past his arms, I reached down and wrapped my fingers around his erection and fisted him tightly.

  He growled and sucked harder. I didn’t care that Lizzy was above us somewhere or that anyone could swim by. I really needed this right now.

  I pumped harder, and he moved up my breast and started to suck on the side of it. We were lost in our foreplay, teasing the hell out of one another. I felt the heat of my arousal pool in my suit in spite of the water, and I secretly begged for him to do something about it.

  “Mark,” Mike’s mother called, “could you please let the others know dinner is ready?”

  “Sure thing,” Mark replied.

  Mike pulled away and closed his eyes like he was trying to calm himself. I, on the other hand, wanted to cry at the loss of contact.

  I pumped him one last time, and his eyes opened, flashing a need that I mirrored.

  “I could have you right here under a dock.” He chuckled. “That’s one for the books.”

  I glanced down at my breasts and saw the hickeys starting to form. I’d never had one before, but they were proof Mike Irons was there. Oddly enough, it was sexy as hell.

  His fingers brushed over the markings. “I wish I could say I’m sorry, but I think there was a part of me that wanted to stamp you as taken.”

  “Taken?” I raised an eyebrow. “Says the man who hasn’t kissed me on the lips yet.”

  He stepped closer to me and pressed my breasts into his massive chest. “Says the man you have your body wrapped around.” He leaned down and hovered over my lips but paused. “I think I’ll savor this moment a little longer.” He kissed my neck, pulled back with a wink and a grin, then dipped under the water and swam back to shore.

  Damn that smile.

  My stomach flipped into a tight knot of excitement. Mark stood at the end of the dock with his phone to his ear. I squinted through the slits of the dock to see him better.

  “Oh, Christ, Savi, Mike just Code Forty-Fived Catalina.” His laugh boomed across the water. “I really wish you and Mia could have been here to witness it.”

  Code Forty-Five?

  After dinner, I tugged on my oversized pink sweater that always fell off one shoulder and ran my fingers through my wavy hair so it wouldn’t dry too crazy. Charlotte handed me a rather large glass of wine and stood to block my path.

  “Do you like my brother?” I laughed a little then took a long sip to buy myself some time. “Okay,” she smirked when she got her answer, “look, he’s fantastic, quite possibly one of the best guys out there, but there’s a lot of unknowns that you might not like if you start to date.”

  “Like?” I was curious as to whether she was going to mention his work.

  “Mike works for the Army.”

  “Okay?” I shrugged. “That’s not a big deal.”

  “No, like, special forces Army. As in, he disappears for days on end, and sometimes he returns fine, and other times he returns, well, with a lot of baggage. Sometimes he could have cuts and scrapes, broken bones, even. We don’t ask, because we never get an answer. And…”

  “Honestly, Charlotte,” I held up a hand, “I have a lot I don’t talk about too. I get that.”

  She started to say more, but we could both see Lizzy heading toward us. We stopped talking.

  “What are you two talking about?”

  “Work,” Charlotte said, and I appreciated the lie.

  “Oh.” She rolled her eyes. She hated that we worked together. “I’m going to the fire pit.”

  We followed her down the path to the sand where everyone sat around in folding chairs.

  “Here, Catalina.” Mike stood and offered me his chair. I began to protest, but he turned and snatched another from a pile near the bushes. I noticed a neat little shed nestled into the scrubby trees just above the waterline. They must have stored all their beach stuff there. Nice.

  “Thanks.” I watched as Mark handed him a beer and Mike tucked the cap into his pocket.

  I tuned in to the conversations around me and tried to picture what it would have been like to grow up in America with money. How normal it might have felt to have properties that went for miles, where you could walk at all hours of the night and not feel the fear that at any moment you could be shot or raped.

  I quickly pushed the thoughts out of my head and focused on the right now. That was all I could control.

  “Do it, Cat.” Kyle pulled me out of my fire trance. “Please talk dirty to me, baby.”

  I chuckled. Kyle loved when I spoke Spanish. I normally just recited parts from my favorite books, but instead, I went with whatever came out.

  “La manera en que me miras hace que las mariposas de adentro aletear a la superficie y pelear para ser liberadas.” The way you look at me makes butterflies inside flutter to the surface and fight to be released.

  I noticed Mark glanced at Mike, who was watching me intently.

  “Go on,” Kyle encouraged me dramatically like he was trapped in my love spell.

  “Tu no conoces el miedo hasta que se palmeado a través de tu vida controlando tu próximo aliento.” You don’t know fear until it’s webbed through your life controlling your next breath.

  I paused to see Mike lean his arms on his thighs as if to get closer to me.

  “Pero luego estás tú, tú entraste en mi vida y me hiciste sentir segura.” But then there’s you, you walked into my life and made me feel safe.

  Everyone was silent, and I took a deep breath and shook my head.

  “Yo te protegere,” Mi
ke whispered, and I froze.

  I’ll protect you.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Mike

  “What did you say?” Lizzy moved her seat to be next to me.

  “It’s just a line from a song.” Catalina brushed her question off and gave me a quick glance before she moved her attention to my sister.

  Kyle held his chest like her Spanish made him happy. “Oh, I love when you roll your Rs.”

  “Seems your girl may have some secrets too.” Mark bumped my arm with his.

  “Hey.” Lizzy slipped her hand into mine. I was so used to her touching me, I didn’t even think about it anymore. “Can I steal for you for a moment?” She nodded for us to move away from the group.

  “What’s up?” I broke her hold and tucked my hands in my pockets.

  “Well, I was wondering if you’re busy. I need a date.”

  “Not unless something with work comes up. Why?” There was still a part of me that fell into old habits with Lizzy. It was comfortable.

  “I need a date, and I thought maybe you’d like to take me.” She flipped her blonde hair off her shoulder and gave me the same eyes she did when she really needed me. I had been in love with her since we were kids, so I found myself agreeing without a thought.

  “Sure. Text me the details.”

  “Yay! Thank you!” She leaned up and kissed my cheek.

  Mark gave me a funny look when I pulled out my phone to add the date to my calendar.

  “What was that about?” He looked worried.

  “Lizzy needs my help.”

  “Of course, she does.” He snickered into his beer.

  I ignored him when something flashed up on my phone screen.

  Crawford: See attachment

  I opened the link and was taken to YouTube, and the title came up as US Army Black Ops. The video started with someone watching us on our mission when we ran across the beach with Martina and Luna.

  My stomach sank, and I felt sweat break out across my skin. It was unbelievably imperative that we remained faceless with the cartel for everyone’s safety, not to mention that video proved we did indeed have Elena’s family.

  “Shit!” I cursed without thinking. Mark was by my side in a flash and snatched the phone from my hand, and we both walked away from the group.

  “Call it in.” He handed me his phone as he kept watch and I dialed.

  “Logan,” Cole answered.

  “Cole, did you see the video?”

  “No.”

  “Mark.” I nodded, and he waved back. “The link just went through.”

  “Did my night just go to shit?”

  “Shit doesn’t describe what you’re about to see.”

  There was a long span of silence before he spoke again. All I could hear was the sound of our boots as we raced by the hidden dick with the camera. “I need to call Frank. Everyone is to hold tight until you hear from me.”

  The line went dead.

  “So?” Mark took his phone back.

  “We sit tight.”

  “Oh, shit,” he huffed, “Mia is going to kick my ass.”

  “No way!” Charlotte yelled, and we looked back at the group. Everyone was laughing. “Okay, okay.” She waved her arms around. “Lizzy, go!”

  Mark slapped my shoulder. “Well, at least we’re here and not sitting in a mud pit. Let’s have some fun.”

  “Umm,” Lizzy closed her eyes, thinking, “never have I ever gone commando to a work party.” She slowly raised her drink, and so did Catalina.

  “Your turn, Cat!” Charlotte directed.

  “Never have I ever shot a gun.” She raised a sexy eyebrow at me as she took a sip of her drink.

  Interesting…

  “What kind?” I smirked.

  “Kimber semi-auto.”

  “That’s a serious gun.”

  “It is.” She leaned forward, and one of her arms tucked under her chin and the other motioned for me to come closer, so I mimicked her movement. “So, then, the question is who’s a better shot.”

  “Ha!” Mark hit my shoulder, clearly entertained, not that it took much.

  My curled lips broke through my poker face, with no help from Mark, and I squinted at her through the flames. “We need to hit a shooting range.”

  “I mean,” she leaned back and crossed her legs, “if you want to be humiliated in front of everyone, so be it.”

  “Nah,” I shook my head when everyone cheered, “you and me.”

  And just like that, I got my date.

  “Mike.” Lizzy tugged on my arm, but I wouldn’t break my hold on Catalina’s gaze until she did.

  “That’s it,” Mark pulled out his phone, “Mia and Savannah need to hear about this.”

  The rest of the night went by in a blur. Every so often, Catalina would sneak a glance in my direction, and I would be ready with a smile, which made her smile back. Every time.

  “So,” Catalina came up behind me as I finished up a call with Keith, “can I ask you something?”

  “Maybe.” I leaned against the table and enjoyed how the light from the torches made her honey skin glow. I so wanted to lean into her and kiss that radiance.

  “What’s with the bottle caps?”

  “Huh?”

  She stepped forward and tapped my pocket. “Something tells me it’s not the best place to keep them.”

  “Why?”

  “Three times, you slipped your hand inside your pocket before you took a beer from Mark.”

  I removed her bag off her shoulder and set it next to me. I didn’t like the idea of her leaving. “So, you were watching me.” I sounded a little cocky, but I wasn’t trying to be.

  “Maybe.” She wiggled her nose when I called her out. It was rather cute. “So?”

  “I like control.” I laughed more to myself than to her. The Blackstone team all had the same issue. We needed control in any way we could get it, since most things in our lives were out of our control. “We all do. The caps keep me in check. I know my limit and don’t like to cross it.”

  “I like that.” She moved to sit on the table next to me and looked up at the clear summer sky. “You speak Spanish?”

  “I do.”

  “Wish I knew that,” she muttered with a chuckle.

  “I meant what I said.”

  “Mike,” she dropped her head, “you don’t know me, and it seems to me that you do enough protecting.”

  I moved to stand in front of her, and my arms landed on the table by her legs, trapping her in. “You’re right, I don’t know you, but I want to.”

  She studied me for a moment, and I took the time to drink in her heavenly scent of coconuts and lake water. Images of my mouth on her skin and her hands wrapped around me sent a surge through my veins.

  “We come from very different worlds, Mike,” she whispered sadly. “Worlds that I don’t know can coexist.”

  “Then let’s create our own and see what happens,” I challenged, not giving her an out.

  “Mike.”

  “Catalina.” I leaned down and gently kissed her cheek, and to my surprise, she turned to me, so I let my lips linger as I spoke. “I’m not asking you to marry me.” I nudged her ear with my nose. “I’m just asking you to give me a try.”

  She turned into the crook of my neck, and a soft huff of air brushed my skin. “I’ll try.”

  I wasn’t sure what it was about Catalina that drew me to her, but I was determined to figure it out.

  “Kiss me,” she whispered, and I chuckled, as it was the only ammo I had against her.

  “Go on date with me.”

  A sexy smile tugged at her lips, and her eyes glowed with interest. “I’m off this Tuesday.”

  I brushed the pad of my thumb over her bottom lip with a happy sigh. “I’ll pick you up at five.”

  “You play dirty.” She chuckled.

  “You have no idea.”

  She leaned in and pulled on my shirt to draw me down. “Game on, Mr. Irons.”

 
With that, she hopped off the table, snagged her bag, and gave me a wink as she walked away.

  Damn.

  ***

  I barely slept that night. Dusk was abnormally loud as the word quickly spread that we were not on call tonight, so the new recruits partied. I didn’t blame them. It wasn’t often we were allowed to blow off steam without some kind of order.

  I had one of the biggest rooms in the house. Keith said it was one of the perks of being number two, but frankly, I thought it was because I was so big, they figured my room should be too. I didn’t care. It was a place for me to keep my stuff and a quiet place to think. The cathedral ceilings had steel plates that lined the edges, and the rustic lamps that stuck out from the walls gave it a castle feel, and in my head, it seemed to belong to Thor. I kind of liked that. A seventy-inch TV hung over a stone fireplace directly in front of my bed. That was nice but not something I’d use much. It was a great room, but it still didn’t feel like it was mine.

  The guys of Blackstone were finding love, some new, and some old flames were rekindled. Then there were John and me, the last two bachelors of Blackstone.

  I had been in love for years, and the wear of Lizzy’s constant rejection had taken its toll on me. I had been convinced she’d really see me one of these days, but now…my mind went to Catalina. Now things were different. Someone new had stepped into the light and lit something dormant inside me. Whether it would develop into something, I didn’t know, but I sure wanted to give it a try.

  With my arm tucked under my head, I stared up at the ceiling fan and let my mind wander to Catalina’s angel tattoo. Something about it tugged at a memory. I swore I had seen it before.

  My legs became restless when the memory of her skin under my tongue surfaced. It had taken everything inside me not to rip her suit off and plunge inside, but I wanted to savor the moment with her. Catalina was like a smooth whiskey that you swirled around and sipped, appreciating the taste as it absorbed into your senses.

  My phone rang, and I pulled it off the charger.