Silent Night, Deadly Night

by Kaylea Cross

“Landed in Virginia Beach a few hours ago, then hopped a flight down here.” He nuzzled her hair, his big hands sliding over her naked back. “I need a shower. You wanna join me?”

  “Only if I get to wash you.”

  “Oh, that goes without saying.” He tipped her head back and kissed her gently, then tugged her from the bed and into the en suite. She squinted as he flipped on the light, then anxiously ran her gaze over him.

  Dec reached past her to start the shower, then she turned him around to face the sink and inspected the back of him too. “What are you doing?” he asked.

  “Just making sure you’re really okay.”

  He met her gaze in the mirror, his golden eyes filled with amusement. “You don’t trust that I’d tell you if I wasn’t?”

  “No.” He was a SEAL. Suffering in silence was part of their code. Her least favorite part.

  He grinned and captured her hands, bringing them to his mouth for a kiss, his dark stubble rasping against her skin. “Missed you, baby.”

  She flattened herself against his back, savoring every point of contact. “Missed you more.”

  Waiting for her warrior to return never got any easier, even when he was just away for training. Some days dragged by, and while she tried not to obsess over the news about what was going on in various hot spots around the world when he was away, she couldn’t avoid it completely. She never knew where he was, and he couldn’t tell her, though she could make an educated guess.

  But now he was here, and everything else fell away.

  When the water was hot, Dec stepped under the spray and tugged her in after him. One arm locked around her waist as his other hand slid into her hair, his mouth coming down on hers. Bryn wound her arms around his neck and melted into his kiss, her tongue gliding along his as she ran her hands over that gorgeous, powerful body she’d missed so damn much.

  She grabbed the soap from the shelf in the corner and began rubbing it all over him in slow circles, covering him with slippery lather while his hands roamed over her naked body. By the time she made it down between his legs, he was hard and ready for her.

  She hummed in appreciation and stroked him, slow and firm, adding a little swirl with her fist as she reached the sensitive head. Dec growled into her mouth and spun them around, pinning her to the tile wall before dipping his head to take an aching nipple into his mouth.

  Bryn gasped and rubbed her swelling folds against the rock-hard length of his erection, her body tingling all over, clit throbbing. His hands held her steady as he sucked on her sensitive flesh, sending delicious currents of sensation spiraling through her.

  After giving the same attention to her other nipple, he dropped to one knee, gripped her calf and lifted her leg over his shoulder, parting her slick folds for the intimate caress of his tongue. Bryn held her breath, her heart racing, anticipating the first silken caress of that talented tongue.

  When it came, she plunged her fingers into his thick hair, her back arching as she bit her lip to stop a shuddering moan. This was an old house. The walls were thin. And Dec was a generous lover. He paid attention to the details, including every tiny pleasure point on her body.

  Her eyes slid closed, a shudder speeding through her muscles as his tongue caressed her. Ohh, Dec…

  She’d missed him. Missed just having him around, having him close, and dear God, yes, she’d missed this. Being able to touch him, and have his hands and mouth on her again.

  He knew exactly what spot felt best, knew exactly what pressure and speed she liked. It felt like she was melting against his tongue, his strong hands holding her hips steady, the only thing keeping her on her feet while pleasure coursed through her.

  She was breathing fast, all swollen and needy when he stroked his tongue across her clit one last time, then surged to his feet. Before she could protest, he spun her around to brace her forearms on the tile, and pulled her hips back toward him.

  Bryn parted her legs and arched her ass toward him, arousal rocketing through her as she looked over her shoulder at him. His face was set, his eyes burning with need as he reached down to position the head of his cock between her folds.

  She closed her eyes, gasped a moment later when a continuous stream of warm water pulsed over her throbbing clit. She opened her eyes and looked down to find him angling the detachable shower wand between her legs. With a smile and a hum of pleasure she rested her cheek against the cool tile and pressed back toward the hot, tantalizing pressure of him lodged against her.

  The flow of water was warm and decadent, giving her just the right stimulation to start her on the climb to release. Then Dec surged into her with a single, controlled thrust that made her clench around him, a moan tearing free in spite of her efforts to keep quiet.

  She needed him. Needed him to ease this ache inside her. To give her the release she craved and then hold her tight in bed for the rest of the night. The long separations and uncertainty while he was gone were always hard.

  “God, I’ve missed being inside you,” he whispered against the side of her neck. His free hand came up to play with a hard nipple as he eased his hips back and gave another slow thrust that buried him deep.

  Yes. “Just like that,” she gasped out. “Don’t stop.”

  He groaned. “Love it when you clench around my cock.”

  The pressure of the water rushing over her clit was perfect, his slow, smooth rhythm hitting just the right place inside her as he pushed her up, up, the orgasm already building. “Dec,” she moaned, her hands fisting against the tile, eyes squeezing shut.

  “Yeah, baby, come all over my cock,” he rasped out.

  There was no way she could stop it. The orgasm hit, pulsing through her in wave after delicious wave while she shuddered and stifled her moans.

  Slowly the pleasure ebbed away. The water on her clit became too much. She pushed his hand away and leaned her weight into the wall, panting.

  Behind her, Dec nipped the curve of her neck, gripped her hips hard, and drove in and out of her deeper. A little harder.

  She reached back to cup the back of his head and moved with him as he rode her to his own release. His big body shuddered as he drove deep and locked there, his guttural moan of ecstasy smothered against the side of her neck.

  Bryn shivered in the sudden chill and realized the water was now spraying on her feet. She caught the now dangling shower wand and reached up to slide it back into place. They both sighed as the warm water cascaded over them once more, Dec’s heavy body still pressing her to the wall.

  He kissed the curve of her shoulder and wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her back against the warmth of his chest. They stayed like that for a few minutes, coming back to earth together under the flowing water.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” Bryn murmured finally. So glad you’re safe.

  “Me too.” He withdrew gently, then turned her to face him and stroked some wet hair away from her cheek, one steely arm coiling around her waist. “I love you.”

  Her lips curved. “Love you too.” She kissed him, lips and tongue lingering, hungry for more of this incredible connection she’d only ever felt with him.

  Dec raised his head to smile at her. “Got to see Spencer at the base, by the way. He sends his love.”

  She tipped her head back to look into his face. God, he was beautiful. “How is he?”

  “Great.” He nuzzled the side of her face. “Didn’t know you were playing cupid behind the scenes.”

  She smiled at his teasing tone. “I couldn’t stand them not trying one last time at least. Tara just needed to see what he’s like when he’s working. And since I had firsthand experience with that…”

  “You’re such a romantic.”

  She hummed, not bothering to deny it. “Why do you think I fell for you? And by the way, we’re gonna be an honorary aunt and uncle in the summer.”

  He stilled. “You’re kidding. Who?”

  “Rhys and Nev.”

  His golden eyes widened. �
��No shit?”

  “No. It was pretty adorable when they told us. Everyone was shocked. I think Ben’s the most excited of all.”

  Dec searched her eyes. He was so strong, loyal and brave, it turned her heart over. “What about you? Think you’re ready for that too?”

  They’d talked about trying for a baby soon. She’d always loved kids. It was a big reason why she’d become a social worker in the first place. She definitely wanted to be a mother, even if it meant doing some parts of it on her own for now because of Dec’s demanding training and deployment schedule.

  “I think so. And I also think trying for a baby could be a lot of fun.” She grinned and kissed his bristly chin. “So, how long do I have you for, anyway?” She squeezed his naked butt.

  He cocked a dark eyebrow. “How long do you want me?”

  “Pretty sure you already promised me forever.”

  He grinned, revealing the twin dimples in his dark-stubbled cheeks. “Yeah, I did, didn’t I? Guess that means you’re stuck with me.”

  She wished she got to be stuck with him more often. And she was already dreading the moment he left again.

  Chapter Eight

  Joe lowered his phone to watch the live video one of his guys was shooting near White Point Gardens, at the southern tip of the Battery in Charleston. Hutchinson and his wife lived only a couple blocks from it. The man taking the surveillance video was posing as a runner out for a morning jog, his phone clipped to his fanny pack.

  The camera bounced up and down with every stride, but the shot was clear enough. Ancient, towering oak trees filled the park. Beyond it out in Charleston Harbor sat the infamous island stronghold of Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War had been fired. If all went according to plan, Joe would see the historic site in person later tonight once it was empty.

  Its position in the middle of the harbor was perfect for his purposes, because it would take anyone coming after them longer to organize and get out there. It was also large enough to accommodate his exfil plan.

  The last tour of the day left Liberty Square at fourteen-thirty-hours. By the time Joe got there with his prisoner it would be empty except for the two rangers on shift. It would be a simple matter to deal with them and the fort’s security cameras.

  His scout crossed South Battery, the main road running alongside the park. The residential streets here were quieter, the sidewalks lining historic homes that had been there for centuries. Joe knew every inch of this street from studying it on satellite images, but to get good intel on his target he needed a live shot to find out for certain if she was there.

  Samarra and Ben Sinclair had arrived in Charleston two days ago. Guaranteed she would have done something with the information she’d received by now. Credit card records pointed to a specific rental car agency, and Joe had been able to find the make, model and plate number of the vehicle they’d rented. A few pings of the plate number had led him here, and within moments Joe would know if his suspicions had been correct.

  The runner turned right and headed up a side street, lined with magnolias and palmettos. Joe watched intently as a familiar black wrought iron gate appeared off to the side, and a stately brick mansion with white pillars came into view. The runner turned up the alley running behind the house, where cars were parked against the curb.

  And sure enough, there was the Sinclairs’ rental vehicle.

  Joe picked up a burner phone and contacted his crew. Target located. Take positions now.

  He had six guys with him on this op. Might seem like overkill just to capture one woman, but Hutchinson and Samarra’s husband had served in elite military units. Joe wasn’t taking any chances, and wasn’t about to attack the house, where they were all together.

  He had something else in mind. All he needed was to find the right opportunity to split them up. When his team executed this op, it had to be all shock and awe, catching their prey unawares.

  Another of his burners rang. One of his men calling. “Yeah?”

  “You’re gonna love this. Hutchinson’s got a full house right now. I can’t get an ID on anyone yet, but there’s at least eight people in there, maybe more. And Tim managed to trace a cell call from the house to a local tour company a few minutes ago. We called there to check, and Hutchinson’s wife apparently signed five of them up for a walking history tour tonight. All women.”

  A shot of adrenaline punched through him. “Was Samarra’s name on the list?”

  “Yes.”

  His pulse sped up, a plan already forming in his mind. Samarra would be there, undefended. This is exactly the break he’d needed. “What time is the tour?”

  “Leaves at five from Liberty Square, but they have to check in twenty minutes prior.”

  Right near the water, where the ferry took tourists out to the fort. It was perfect. “I’m on it. Tell the others to hold their positions. I’ll contact everyone with orders within the next few hours.”

  He ended the call and immediately pulled up a map of the area, coordinating everything in his mind. Without the location of that storage unit, he was screwed. If this next op failed, he was screwed.

  But he had no choice. He had to act, and he had to act now, because he wasn’t going down without a fight.

  He would take Samarra, and do whatever was necessary to force her to give him what he needed to find that storage unit, staving off disaster.

  ****

  Sam muttered to herself as she pored over the notes she’d compiled. Finding out who an offshore company was registered to was a lot more difficult than one might think. And if she dug too deep, she risked triggering a security alert and maybe even tipping off whoever was behind all this. So she had to be careful.

  “Well, fancy finding you here.”

  She looked up at Ben as he came into the study carrying a mug and a plate of something that smelled so good it made her mouth water. “Ooh, what is it?” He’d still been asleep when she’d snuck down here to work.

  “Bacon, and eggs Benedict with crab, shrimp and homemade hollandaise.”

  “Yum, thanks.” She took the plate, her stomach rumbling. “Emily made all this already?”

  Amusement gleamed in his pale eyes as he set her coffee down on the desk in front of her. “You’ve been in here for over two hours already.”

  She blinked and glanced at the clock on her laptop. “I have?”

  “You have.” He handed her a fork. “Eat up.”

  She cut herself a bite, and the creamy hollandaise with the fresh egg and crabmeat made her moan. “Oh, God, I’d gain so much weight if I lived here.”

  “Nah, I’d make sure I helped you burn it all off.” His eyes held a wicked gleam.

  She gave him a playful, quelling look, but it was spoiled by him ducking down and kissing her. And he didn’t stop there, nibbling his way across her cheek and down the side of her neck while his hands moved down to cup her breasts, his thumbs gliding across the sensitive centers.

  “Missed you this morning,” he murmured in a husky voice that heated her insides.

  She grabbed his wrists to stop his distracting fingers, kissed his jaw and pushed him away, flustered. Jeez, someone could walk in here at any moment and see them making out. “You just said you want me to eat.”

  His gaze glittered with unmistakable hunger as he looked down at her. “And I’d like to eat you. Missed you this morning when I woke up all alone in that fancy bed.”

  Oh, man. He made it so hard to concentrate when he got all smoldery and seductive like this. “I wanted to keep going on this,” she told him, trying to ignore the hum of arousal he’d started deep in her belly. She had to get to the bottom of this. Sex could wait. “I feel like I’m close to cracking this thing.” It was driving her nuts not knowing who’d sent the letter to her or why.

  “I’ll help,” he murmured, leaning in to kiss her neck again, his lips lingering on the one spot there guaranteed to make her eyes cross.

  She let out a squeak and pushed at his
wide shoulders. “You’re impossible. Quit distracting me.”

  He lifted his head to grin at her. “But I love distracting you.”

  “Don’t I know this,” she said with a mock scowl. She pushed at his shoulders again. Gah. So wide and full of muscle. She couldn’t think when he turned on the seductive charm. “Go. Find something to amuse yourself with for a while longer, and then I’ll finish up. Something that’s not me,” she added when she saw the mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

  He sighed as if crushed and got to his feet. “Fine. I know when I’m not wanted.”

  Oh, she wanted him. That’s why he needed to leave. She shook her head at him as he walked away, grabbing something from the shelf, then pausing to give her a pouty look as he slid the pocket door shut.

  “That man,” she muttered under her breath. “He’s lucky I love him so much.” Shoving another bite of breakfast into her mouth, she started tinkering more with the information she’d found.

  Within an hour, she had what she’d been looking for. Only she didn’t like the answer. Not one bit.

  Stomach tight, she picked up her empty plate and carried it into the kitchen. Luke was doing dishes in the sink, and Emily was making something else at the island. “Thanks for breakfast, it was amazing,” she said to Emily.

  “You’re welcome, and glad you liked it. Sleep okay?”

  “Slept great.” A lie, since she’d lain awake for hours turning everything over in her mind. Her gaze slid to Luke, who had his back to her. Before she could get his attention, Emily spoke again. “So, is it just us ladies tonight for the historic ghost tour?” Sam was looking forward to it.

  “Yes, and I’m actually glad, because now we can enjoy ourselves without having a bunch of bored, long faces around.”

  Sam laughed. “Well, Luke and Rhys would have bored, long faces, but Ben would love it. He can have fun anywhere, I swear.” Maybe that’s why they worked so well as a couple. They balanced out each other’s polar opposite personality.

  “Now that I believe. Can you grab me the cinnamon from that cupboard over there?” She pointed to the one left of the range, one hand still mixing whatever was in the big bowl in front of her.