by Elle James
Relief filled him at the sight of Erin, standing beside one of her captors.
Inside, he was surrounded by two of the terrorists who immediately lowered their weapons.
Their leader pointed an AK-47 at Erin’s temple.
She held a telephone handset to her ear, her finger hovering over the keypad.
“Tell them we want an ambulance out front now, or we blow up the entire building.”
One of the two men with the leader spoke in short, urgent Pashto.
The leader glared and spoke back sharply.
The man nodded, a smirk curling the corners of his mouth through the ski mask.
Erin’s lips were pulled into a tight line and her face was pale. Her left eye was swollen and turning purple, and her lower lip was cracked and bleeding.
Caesar fought the urge to start shooting and not stop until he’d killed all three of the terrorists for hurting Erin. But he couldn’t. Not until he was certain Erin wouldn’t be caught in the crossfire.
“Tell them!” The leader backhanded her.
Pain shot through Erin’s head as it snapped around with the force of his hand. She raised her fingers to her cheek, hatred burning deep down. With shaky fingers, she punched in the emergency number and waited for someone to answer on the other end.
When she got the dispatcher, she spoke quickly. “This is Lt. Erin McGee. I’m being held at gunpoint inside the medical center, building 3711. Please connect me with someone with the authority to negotiate my release.” She waited as dispatch connected the call.
“Lt. McGee, this is Colonel Allen, are you okay?”
“I’m okay for now, but I don’t know for how long. Three men are trying to get our prisoner, Hassani Nurabi, to the airport. They’re demanding an ambulance and safe passage for their group of four.” She glanced around at the men. “They wanted me to tell you that they have explosive charges set at various points throughout the hospital, and they will detonate them one at a time, starting in five minutes if they don’t get that ambulance.”
“Tell them we’ll have the ambulance waiting outside in less than three minutes,” Colonel Allen said.
Erin let go of the breath she’d been holding. “I’ll let them know.”
“Lieutenant, stay on the line—
Her captor grabbed the telephone and slammed it onto the cradle.
She sat calmly and repeated what the colonel had told her. “They’re bringing an ambulance around now.”
“Good. You will come with us and care for our leader.” The man glanced at Hassani, still unconscious on the litter. Erin had checked moments earlier for a pulse. He had one, but she didn’t know how long it would last since they’d disconnected his oxygen. So far, he seemed to be breathing on his own.
Her captor’s gaze shifted to the man who’d entered while Erin had been on the phone and he fired off a question at him in Pashto.
The man ducked his head and nodded, muttering something unintelligible.
Something about the way he stood, and the breadth of his shoulders made Erin look twice. For a moment, his gaze met hers. When recognition hit her, she gasped then pressed her lips tight.
Caesar.
The leader stood and asked another question. When the new man still didn’t respond, the other two men leveled their weapons on him.
Heart hammering, Erin knew she had to do something to divert their attention. She flung herself at their leader and poked him in the eyes as hard as she could. The man screamed and staggered backward, arms windmilling and his knees catching against a chair. Seeing him off balanced, all she had to do was plant a hand in the middle of his chest to send him flying over the chair and crashing to the floor.
The terrorists swung from the slouching figure toward Erin.
Caesar plowed into them from the side, hitting the closest one, knocking him into the other. Both tripped over each other and landed flat on their backs, their weapons flying from their grasps.
Caesar kicked their guns out of reach.
Erin landed a boot in their leader’s face. When she reared back and swung at him again, his hand snaked out, hooked her ankle and pulled hard.
She fell backward and hit the floor so hard, her head bounced and the air whooshed out of her lungs.
Her captor rolled on top of her and jammed a knife to her throat. “Move and I kill her.”
“Like hell you will,” Caesar roared. He grabbed the back of the man’s collar and yanked him up off Erin. In one swift swing, he hit him with a hard right to jaw.
The terrorist’s head jerked back and he crumpled to the ground.
At that same moment, MPs stormed through the door, weapons pointed at Caesar.
“Halt, or we’ll shoot!” One young sergeant shouted.
Erin rolled to her feet and stood in front of Caesar, swaying but holding out her arms. “Don’t shoot him. He’s one of us.” Her head swam and she would have fallen if Caesar hadn’t pulled her against him from behind. God, being held in his arms felt good.
Caesar dragged off the ski mask, chuckled and lifted her. “I’m U.S Navy SEAL Caesar Sanchez, a patient at this fine institution.”
“Sir, could you put the lieutenant down, please, and step away from her?” the sergeant asked.
Erin wrapped her arms around his neck. “No, he can’t. He’s saving me.”
Caesar kissed her forehead. “No, mi amor, you saved me.”
The military policeman frowned. “Please, put the female down.”
A master sergeant entered the room behind the young MP. “At ease, Sergeant. If the lieutenant says he’s one of the good guys, he’s probably one of the good guys. You can start processing the ones on the floor.”
Erin glanced down at the man who’d held a knife to her throat. “If charges are set all around the hospital, shouldn’t we get out of here?”
“They were bluffing,” Caesar said, with a definitive head shake.
Her brows rose and her lips quirked on the corners. “And you know this because?”
“I understand just enough Pashto to recognize when one of them corrected the leader saying, We do not have explosives.”
“A handy talent to have.” She kissed him, nibbling at his lip, so glad he showed up. “Is there anything else I should know about you?”
“That about sums it up.” Stepping over the two men he’d knocked out, Caesar carried Erin out into the hallway. “You need to see a doctor.”
Sighing, she nestled against his chest. “I’ve never felt better.” Through the throbbing pain in her head and eye, she couldn’t remember such a feeling of elation as when she’d recognized Caesar in the terrorist’s clothing. “How did you know?”
“I could say that I’m a trouble magnet, and trouble seems to follow you around. But I couldn’t sleep and I had to see you.”
“So you were wandering around the halls at night in your bare feet?” She trailed a finger down his neck.
“I had on shower shoes, but they made too much noise.”
She pressed her cheek against his chest. “Well, I’m glad you couldn’t sleep.”
“Hey.” His grip tightened. “I’m supposed to be a recuperating patient. What kind of nursely thing is that to say?”
“The best.”
He swiveled his head in both directions then stared into her eyes. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll get in trouble for fraternization?”
She shook her head. “I don’t care.”
“That’s new. Is the good, rule-following lieutenant chucking the old rule book?”
She grinned. “As far as I can throw it.”
“Good.” He kissed her gently on her cracked lips. “What made you change your mind?”
Her smile fading, she looked up into his eyes. “Staring at death in the faces of a few terrorists makes a girl think twice about walking away from a good thing.”
“You’re not afraid I’ll run out, or cheat with another woman?”
“Like you said. That’s not your style.” S
he cupped his cheeks in her hands. “Caesar Sanchez, you’re a good man, and now you’re my hero.”
“Now don’t go putting me up on a pedestal.” He winked. “I might like it too much.”
“Don’t worry, I can knock you down if I need to.”
“That would be all too easy. You hold my heart in the palm of your hand.”
“Nice words, Romeo.”
“I try.” He kissed her forehead. “Where did you learn that eye-poking move?”
“From my dad. When he found out I enlisted into the military, he knew I might need to defend myself from friendly attacks.”
“A smart man, looking out for his daughter. A beautiful woman like you gets hit on all the time.” He set her on her feet and smoothed the loose hairs out of her face. Then he tugged at the elastic band holding what remained of her ponytail in a drunken list. Her hair swung free and he feathered his hands through its length. “Mmm. I love the way your hair smells like sunshine and lemons.”
“I like when you talk sweet to me.” She kissed his cheek. “I didn’t thank you properly for the roses.”
“They were a bribe.”
“Whatever they were, they worked.” She touched a finger to his chest. “I don’t know how this will work, or how long a relationship will last, but I find myself willing to take a few risks where you’re concerned.” She leaned back her head and stared at him through her good eye and her swollen one, a lopsided smile lifting one corner of her busted lips. “I also find myself in need of a hero and you just happen to fill the bill.”
“I’m your man.” Caesar swept her up in his arms again.
“Sir, ma’am, do you mind?” The Master Sergeant emerged from the room, wheeling the litter with the prisoner.
“Not at all.” Caesar stepped out of the way, still carrying Erin in his arms.
Erin sighed. “You better let me down. Hassani needs to get back to the ICU and hooked up to oxygen.”
Caesar lowered her legs to the ground, and held on until she could stand on her own. “Can’t you let someone else take over his care?”
“I’m the ICU nurse on duty.”
“I’d think that would have ended when you were taken hostage.”
She snorted. “Does your duty as a SEAL end when you’re not on a mission?” Eyebrows quirked, she crossed her arms. “No. Please. I need to check on Sheila. She was injured in the takeover.”
“Okay, but we’re not done yet.”
“Agreed.”
Erin and Caesar entered the elevator with the Master Sergeant and rode up to the third floor where more MPs were cleaning up the other terrorists.
Sheila met them at the door to the ICU, a goose-egg-sized lump marring her forehead along with a big, purple bruise on her jaw. “Oh, thank God, you’re all right.” She hugged Erin and stepped back to examine her. “You look like hell.”
Erin laughed, the pull on her lip making her wince. “You look pretty beat up yourself.”
Sheila smiled weakly. “At least we’re alive.”
“Our other patients?”
“Stable.” She led the way into the room Hassani had been assigned. With Caesar and the master sergeant’s help, they moved him to the bed.
Erin and Sheila reattached the drainage tubes, oxygen, IVs and electronic monitors. Hassani’s blood pressure and pulse were low, but he’d probably survive.
Caesar hung around the nurses’ station of the ICU until they emerged.
“You should go back to your hospital bed,” Erin said.
“You need to see a doctor.”
“I’m fine. I’m on duty for another two hours.”
Caesar shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere without you.”
“I’m okay with that.” She smiled and the last knot of tension in her stomach relaxed. “I feel safer with you around. Sheila?”
“He has my vote.” She winked at Caesar. “Let him stay. I’ll go so far as to notify his area that he isn’t AWOL.”
“Would you like to take a seat?” Erin asked.
“If it’s all the same to you, I think I’ll stand.”
“Oh, dear Lord.” Erin sucked in a breath and turned. “With everything happening, I forgot about your stitches. Want us to take a look?”
He stepped away, his cheeks reddening, and his hands shot toward his butt. “If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather suffer in silence.”
“Is the big, Navy SEAL embarrassed?” Erin’s lips quirked.
“Hell, yeah,” he responded. “Contrary to popular belief, not all SEALs are exhibitionists.”
“Sweetie,” Sheila said. “Take him into an empty room. I’ll cover for you.”
“I could kiss you.” Caesar gripped the woman by the arms and planted a big kiss on her cheek.
She sputtered, her face bright red. “Well, there’s no need for that. But if you insist.” Grabbing his arms, she planted a big kiss square on his lips and then stepped back, wiping her hand over her mouth. “If I were only twenty years younger…”
Erin chuckled as she reached into the supply cabinet for gauze and rubbing alcohol. She led Caesar into the closest bathroom, the only room without windows. “This is where I was when the terrorists attacked.” She trembled. “I admit, I was pretty scared.”
As soon as the door closed behind him, he pulled her into his arms. “You don’t have to be scared anymore.”
She laughed, her voice shaking. “I know that.” Holding the bottle of alcohol and the gauze in front of her like a shield, she delayed the inevitable. “I need to take care of your—”
Caesar cut off her words with a gentle kiss. “Later.”
“But—”
He took the bottle of alcohol and the gauze and set them on the sink. “I’m fine and the only thing that could make me better is to hold you in my arms.” His hands came up around her waist.
Who was she trying to kid? She wanted to be in his arms and she was tired of fighting the desire. Erin melted against him, resting her hands on his broad chest. “Too bad I arranged to be on a flight to Bagram later today.”
“You’re injured and security forces will want statements from you on the attack. I’m sure you can postpone.” He gripped the zipper on the front of her flight suit and dragged it downward.
Her breath caught and held, her heartbeat racing in anticipation of where this was going. “Think a week will be enough?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as his knuckles brushed against her breast, her belly and lower.
“Not nearly.” He pushed the suit over her shoulders and slid down her bra straps, freeing her breasts. “But we’ll make do.” One slow, sweet kiss at a time, he seared a path along the curve of her jaw and the long line of her neck, pausing where her pulse raced at the base of her throat.
How would they make this thing between them work? Because Erin knew in her heart, she wanted it more than anything. “I redeploy in two months back to the States. I’m assigned to Langley Air Force Base.”
“Perfect.” He bent to take one of her breasts into his mouth and sucked on the nipple. “I’ll be back at Little Creek soon.”
“We can see each other there without worrying about fraternization rules.”
“Mmm.” He shifted to the other breast, nudging her flight suit lower with his hands.
The uniform slipped over her hips and down her legs to pool around her boots. “We don’t have much time,” she said, her words breathy from the excitement of his attention.
“Then we’d better hurry.”
Pushing aside her last misgivings about making love in the bathroom while on duty, Erin stepped out of the suit and panties, and stood in her boots.
Caesar’s face lit as his gaze swept over her body. “I didn’t think you could get any sexier than naked in tennis shoes, but, baby, you’re smokin’ hot in nothin’ but boots.” He lifted her, easing her knees around his hips. Then he remembered.
“Fuck.”
“Yeah.” She chuckled. “That’s the idea.”
A knock on the door made them both jump.
“Since you’re…er…checking his injuries,” Sheila said through the heavy door, “you might need one of these.”
Caesar opened the door, Erin reached around the edge and Sheila pressed a foil package into her hand.
With a laugh, Erin held up a condom and said, “Bless you, Sheila.”
“My pleasure,” she responded.
Caesar closed the door. “Remind me to kiss that woman.”
“I’m in!” Sheila called out.
“Over my dead body.” Erin glared at Caesar. “I thought you were done kissing other women?”
“Everyone but you, mi amor.” He pressed his lips against her mouth and slid his tongue inside to tangle with hers.
He tasted like heaven.
When he allowed her to breathe again, she sighed. “That’s more like it.” Then Erin rolled the condom down over him and smiled. “Now, can a girl get lucky?”
Caesar squeezed her hips. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Careful not to disturb his stitches, she sank down over his engorged member.
Grinning, Caesar pressed her back against the door and gently rocked into her, increasing the pace and intensity with each thrust.
With a moan, she gave herself up to him, riding him like the stallion he was, loving how complete she felt in her SEAL’s embrace.
The End
Other Titles by Elle James
SEAL’s Embrace (Take No Prisoners Book #3)
SEAL’s Desire (Take No Prisoners Book #2)
SEAL’s Honor (Take No Prisoners Book #1)
Secret Service Rescue
The Witch’s Desire (Witch Series Book #3)
Witch’s Seduction (Witch Series Book #2)
Witch’s Initiation (Witch Series Book #1)
Tempting the Demon (Demon Series Book #3)
Demon’s Embrace (Demon Series Book #2)
Hot Demon Nights (Demon Series Book #1)
Christmas at Thunder Horse Ranch (Thunder Horse Book #4)
