by Becca Van
Ward snorted. “Ones with long names. Not even Wolf can wrap his mouth around them, and he deals with medical crap all day.”
“As a result,” Stedman went on, “we’re stronger and faster than the average human male. Our senses are more acute, and we’re empathetic.”
Alicia was dumbfounded. “I’ve been living with you for months!” she blurted.
“No one knows except our fellow team members, our bosses, and now Janie and Brooke,” Ward said.
“We need you to help keep our secret, baby,” Bronsin added.
“Of course I will.” Her astonishment began to give way to awe. These three men and the rest of the Elite Dragons team were so dedicated to their country they had volunteered to be guinea pigs for the government.
“Do you have any questions, darlin’?” Stedman asked.
Alicia processed the information, silently going over what Stedman had explained. One word kept popping in her head. Empathetic. When she lifted her head, she glanced from one brother to the other, finally letting her eyes stop on Stedman.
“You can read my mind?”
“It’s more like reading emotions. Fear, anger, joy, that kind of thing, but we’ve never used our empathetic abilities on you. We have an unwritten code to only use that ability when on the job.”
“At all other times,” Bronsin said, “we keep up mental shields. If we let others’ emotions in all the time, it’d be exhausting.”
“Are you allowed to be telling me all this?” Alicia asked, her mind racing. Another question occurred to her before any of them could answer. “Is that how you were able to catch me so quickly when I slipped?” She directed that question to Ward, and he nodded.
“Take a deep breath, darlin’.” Bronsin rubbed her back. “I don’t want you hyperventilating.”
Alicia took several deep breaths and was glad when her rapid heartbeat began to slow once more.
“You’d be right, honey, that we’re not normally allowed to talk about this,” Ward answered. “The only time we reveal our abilities is when we find a woman we want to have a relationship with.”
“Do you really mean it?” Alicia asked breathily. If they were willing to give it a chance, there was no way she was going to let them get away.
“Yes, we do, baby,” Stedman said. “Our abilities don’t bother you, do they?”
All three brothers watched her reaction avidly. Alicia hesitated, trying to put aside her excitement long enough to ask herself that question. The fact that she was so excited, however, seemed like an answer in itself. She was so hopeful at the thought of having a relationship with these men that the whole “enhanced abilities” thing didn’t seem to matter.
“It doesn’t change how I feel,” she said tentatively. “I’d like a relationship with you, too.”
She was rewarded with two wide smiles from Bronsin and Ward. Stedman only nodded firmly, but she caught the way his eyes shone at her. “Good. But there are a few conditions…First off, no more sex until your hand is fully healed.” Stedman glared at Ward and then winked at her when he turned back. “Next is to figure out what it is you want to do to keep yourself occupied. We know you’re used to working and won’t be happy doing nothing.”
“We’ve thought of a few things, but if they aren’t what you want, then don’t feel any obligation to do them. Okay, darlin’?”
“Well, I can’t answer that until you tell me your suggestions.” Alicia smiled.
A groan from across the room brought her eyes back to Stedman. He was looking at her mouth with such hunger her breath caught in her throat. When she caught him watching her, he lifted his eyes and cleared his throat.
“Sorry, your mouth is so sexy, and when I see those little dimples I can just imagine…Never mind.”
“Since you like riding the horses, we thought you might want to help to exercise them,” Ward suggested. “If that’s not enough to keep you satisfied, you could always help us out with the paperwork for the stud farm. But just remember you don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to. Or if you think of something else, you just let us know and we’ll look into it for you.”
“I would love to help out with the horses. You know I like to ride, and I will also help with the accounts. I already told you I was a bookkeeper in my previous job. After I finished school I was lucky enough to get a job with a large insurance company in Bismarck. They seemed to be happy with my work, but when I went missing they replaced me with someone else. I guess in the end where employment is concerned we’re all just a number in the scheme of things and not indispensable, after all. I did tell you about my job. Didn’t I?” she asked, because now that she thought about it, she couldn’t remember telling them what she did before she was kidnapped.
“Yeah, honey. You told us.”
Alicia smiled at Stedman and impatiently pushed her drying hair back from her face. She got annoyed with her hair when it wasn’t up and got in the way.
“It’s nearly time to head to the main house for dinner,” Bronsin said. “Do you want me to put your hair up, darlin’?”
“Do you know how?” she questioned cheekily.
“We’ll soon find out, won’t we.” Bronsin smiled back and rose to his feet. He helped her up by placing a hand at her elbow and then took her good hand in his and led her from the room.
Once in the bathroom she watched Bronsin in the mirror as he brushed her hair. Alicia couldn’t remember the last time someone had played with her hair. An image of an older woman brushing it and putting it up into a ponytail flashed through her mind, but since she hadn’t stayed anywhere long enough to establish any real connection with anyone, she couldn’t remember the woman’s name. That was the last time she remembered anyone helping her. She had been independent from such a young age and had relied on herself. She’d missed out on so much by not having parents or siblings, but she was alive and a survivor. Thank God for that. She had no idea what would have happened to her if she hadn’t been put into foster care.
She loved the length and texture of her hair, but sometimes she got annoyed with it because it got in the way. But there was no way she would ever get it cut short. She thought it was the only feminine attribute she had and wasn’t about to get rid of it.
Bronsin pulled the brush through her tresses almost rhythmically. Alicia felt cared for—almost cherished—for the first time in her life. Never before had she felt as if she belonged, but when she was with Stedman, Ward, and Bronsin she felt like she was—home.
“Do you want it in a ponytail or a braid?”
“A braid if you can manage it.”
“Your hair is stunning, darlin’,” Bronsin said in a husky voice. “I can just imagine how it will feel wrapped around my wrist while I make love to you.”
Alicia shifted from foot to foot, her imagination running wild. She could just see Bronsin taking her from behind, controlling her with her hair. Licking suddenly dry lips, she looked up into the mirror as Bronsin finished wrapping the tail end of her hair in a band.
Placing his hands on her shoulders, he turned her until she was facing him. The man was huge. The top of her head only came up to the bottom of his sternum. He reminded her of Adonis, the Greek god of beauty and desire, as he stood highlighted by the setting sun shining through the opaque glass of the window.
Bronsin wrapped his huge hands around her rib cage and picked her up. As he plopped her ass down on the counter, she was thankful she was wearing jeans this time to protect her from the cold of the granite.
“I want to kiss you, darlin’. Will you let me?”
He moved closer, and Alicia nodded and closed her eyes. He pushed between her legs and ran his palms up and down her thighs, and then his mouth was on hers. His kiss didn’t start out tentative like she expected. Instead he moved in with a hunger that first astounded her then caused her body to melt from the inside out. Liquid pooled in her pussy and then dripped out onto her panties, thoroughly soaking them.
He tasted every
inch of her mouth, sliding his tongue along hers and then over the insides of her cheeks to the roof of her mouth and over her teeth. A pinch to her nipple caused her to whimper with pleasure and crave even more of his touch. He brought his other hand into play and began strumming his thumbs over her turgid, sensitive peaks. Again and again, his tongue delved into her mouth, and then he squeezed both her nipples between fingers and thumbs.
Alicia rocked her hips and screamed into his mouth as she climaxed. She clung to him as she rode out the waves of rapture, until finally, with a last shudder, she pulled back to gulp in oxygen.
“You are so fucking sexy, darlin’. I love watching you come.” Bronsin planted a light final kiss on her lips and helped her off the counter. He made sure she was steady on her feet before he moved away. “Let’s go and get some food. You must be hungry.”
Alicia let him guide her from the bathroom, but before he took the lead, she glanced down at his crotch. The man was hung like a horse. She could see the outline of his hard dick against the inside of his thigh. Bronsin either didn’t believe in wearing any underwear or had decided to go commando. Glancing away quickly so he didn’t catch her looking, she felt heat suffuse her cheeks as her imagination took over. The first thing that ran through her mind was that he would never fit. But she knew that wasn’t true. She was just feeling a little nervous, but at least she had a week while her hand healed to get used to the thought of taking his big, hard cock into her pussy.
“Look at me, Alicia,” Stedman demanded when she entered the living room.
Frowning at his tone of voice, she obeyed without thought.
“You just came,” he grumbled. “Damn it, Bronsin.”
“What?” Alicia thought her jaw might hit the floor in shock. “How do you know that?”
His narrowed eyes turned to her, and a new quiver of desire raced down through her stomach to her womb. “I can smell you, baby.” With that growled response, he turned his attention back to Bronsin. “I thought we agreed to no sex until Alicia recovered.”
“Hey, back off, bro. All I did was kiss her.”
“What else?” he asked belligerently.
“I played with her nipples, but her clothes were on the whole time.”
“You got her off just by…”
“I’m right here, you know.” Alicia walked up to Stedman and poked a finger into his chest. “If you want to know something about me, then you can damn well ask me to my face. Don’t talk about me as if I’m not here.”
Stedman smirked and snagged her finger. “Yes, ma’am.” He lifted her finger and sucked it into his mouth.
Alicia moaned and then sighed when he nipped on the tip of her digit and released her.
“Let’s go and eat.”
Alicia practically ran out the door. How the hell am I supposed to survive the week without jumping them if they keep firing my libido up? Instead of waiting for them to catch up, she hurried through the back door to the main house and entered the dining room.
“Alicia, how are you feeling? Is your hand hurting you?” Martha asked as she placed food onto the tables.
“I’m fine, thanks, Martha. I took a couple of painkillers not long ago.”
“Well, you just sit right down, honey. You don’t want to hurt yourself any more.”
When dinner was finished, Brooke and Janie helped Martha and May clean up. The men had gone off to the opposite end of the house, taking their coffee with them.
“What’s up with them?” Alicia asked the other women from her perch on a stool next to the counter.
“I’m not sure, but something is up,” Brooke answered. “Coulter, Trace, and Corbin have been working in their office all day.”
“They could just be doing the stud paperwork.”
“No, I don’t think so. Besides, your men do that.”
“My men?” Startled, Alicia looked from Brooke to Janie. She looked as unruffled as Brooke at the suggestion that the Tiltman brothers belonged to Alicia.
“Don’t you dare deny it, Alicia! We’ve all seen the way you look at those three.”
“So have they made a move on you yet?” Janie asked.
Alicia felt heat race up over her face. She mentally cursed that she couldn’t hide from these women. Brooke and Janie smiled, winked, and then burst out laughing.
“Oh yeah, they have. You go, girl,” Brooke sassed.
“Leave the poor girl alone,” Martha interjected. “In fact, why don’t you three go into the living room and catch up? May and I can finish up here.”
“Are you sure, Mom?” Brooke asked.
“Yes. You’re looking tired, Brooke. You need to take it easy, honey. Look after my grandchild and rest.”
“You’re the best.” Brooke planted a kiss on her mother-in-law’s cheek and headed out.
“She’s right, you know,” Alicia said, “you and May take such good care of everyone.”
“Go on with you.” May blushed, making a shooing motion with her hands. Janie just laughed and kissed both older women on the cheek and followed Brooke.
Alicia hugged both women before she, too, walked toward the living room.
“Okay, girl, come and sit down and fess up.” Brooke patted the sofa.
Alicia spent the evening with her new friends. She told them what her men had suggested she do so that she wouldn’t get bored but only gave them a small glimpse of the details they really wanted to hear.
“Why didn’t either of you tell me about their skills?”
“Well.” Brooke looked to Janie and then back to her. “No one was sure if you were staying. My men didn’t want you to know in case you went back home.”
“They don’t trust me?” Alicia asked, feeling a little hurt.
“No! Yes! Shit, I’m making a muck of this.”
“What Brooke is trying to say,” Janie cut in, “is yes, they trust you, but what they can do is top secret, and besides, it was better if the information came from your men. Brooke’s men wanted Stedman and his brothers to tell you from nearly the first, but they weren’t sure how you felt about them so kept it to themselves until they were sure about what you all wanted.”
“Phew,” Alicia sighed with relief. “If only they had come to me sooner. We could have built a relationship much earlier.”
Then they moved to talking more about the enhanced abilities of the men. Alicia listened avidly, wanting to know everything her men had been through and could do. By the time they were finished, she had images of cartoon and comic book characters flitting through her mind. Even if she knew that was going a little over the top, she couldn’t seem to stop her imagination.
“Do they use their abilities in bed?” Alicia blushed when that question blurted out of her mouth. The other two women laughed hysterically. Janie was the first to recover. Her answer was breathless but assured.
“Yes!”
Chapter Five
“What’s going on?” Bronsin asked. All the team members were seated in the large office his team leaders used when planning a mission. Except it hadn’t been used for much of that lately. Since they’d put an end to the black-market organ-smuggling ring, this room had stood empty. There were boxes propped up in one corner, and the sideboard was dusty. Bronsin drew a complicated figure in the dust, trying to control his sense of unease. A steady mantra of we’re retired, we’re retired, we’re retired ran through his head.
Judging by the look on Coulter’s face, though, they were about to get less retired.
The first words out of Coulter’s mouth confirmed it. “There have been more kidnappings. We’ve been ordered to investigate.”
Several of the men swore. Bronsin had to speak over the grumbling. “Why us?”
“It’s the same MO as the organ smugglers.” Coulter picked up a stack of file folders and began sliding them one by one across the long table to each of the men. “The details are in here. Two women so far. Both went to the same clinic in Miles City, Montana, and disappeared within twenty-four hours o
f each other.”
“Miles City’s eight hours from here,” Ward said.
“It’s where we’re going,” Coulter said grimly.
The last folder slid to a halt at the empty seat in front of Bronsin. He reluctantly left the dusty sideboard and sat down in the chair. Opening the folder, he stared down at the page, filled with weariness.
Why do we have to get called up now? He knew as well as the others that they were to serve their government first and foremost, and he didn’t balk at that service. But he couldn’t help but think about what it would be like to leave Alicia here.
As he skimmed, Coulter continued to give orders. “Seton, I want you to set up more alerts on Dr. Smith, just in case this turns out to be more black-market organ trading.”
“You think they’ll be that stupid? We caught them last time when they used the name ‘Smith.’”
“You can never tell. To cover our bases, I want you to look into all the doctors in that town and delve as deep as you can if any new GPs have popped up in town.”
“I don’t get it,” Bryden Healy said. “It’s over and done. We caught the asshole in charge of this whole thing. He’s in prison.”
“And he’ll be questioned,” Coulter said ominously. “It’s possible that he left behind a second-in-command who’s taken over for him. Or it may be copycats in an unrelated organization.”
Fuck. If that were the case, they might have years of work ahead of them. Bronsin didn’t want to have to leave Alicia more than strictly necessary. Hell, he didn’t want to leave her at all.
Coulter leaned back in his chair. “Stedman, you and your brothers can head up this operation since we won’t be there. I’ve given you each a copy of the missing-persons reports filed with the local sheriff’s office as well as photographs of the women.
“Seton, Wolf, and Lander, you can help question any of the women’s family, friends, and work colleagues. Bryden, Linton, and Codi, you three stay out of the public eye as much as possible. If we need to go undercover, I don’t want any of their goons to be able to identify you.
“Linton, check the Miles City records and see if any property has been purchased recently. Go back over sales done in the last twelve months. This seems like it’s new activity, but this might be a sleeper cell that’s been there for a while.
